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ALL NATIONS CENTRE | CARDIFF
PROGRAMMEÂ
We’ve carefully developed this year’s programme to bring together industry leaders, experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore the latest developments and opportunities in tidal, wave, and floating offshore wind technologies in Wales.
Whether you’re a developer, supply chain company, NGO, decision-maker or researcher, our programme has something to offer you.
Please note that this is a preliminary programme and is subject to modifications.
09:30 – 10:00 – Welcome and Opening
10:00 – 11:00 – Political Keynotes
11:00 – 12:00 – Turning the Tide: Scaling Tidal Energy in Wales Today
This session will delve into the immediate steps needed to drive the growth of Wales’s tidal stream energy sector, highlighting lessons from current projects and practical strategies to unlock new opportunities. Panellists will explore how environmental data from active sites is reducing consenting risks, the state of grid infrastructure and what’s needed to deliver energy efficiently, and the readiness of Welsh ports to support deployment at scale. With a focus on overcoming barriers and fostering collaboration, this discussion will provide actionable insights into how tidal stream energy can become a key pillar of Wales’s renewable energy future.
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 – Empowering Cymuned
This session underscores the critical role of public perception and community acceptance in the successful development of Wales’s marine renewable energy sector. Through dialogue with community leaders, developers, and engagement specialists, we’ll explore best practices for ensuring communities have a meaningful voice in shaping local projects. The discussion will also address the risks of neglecting community inclusion, such as delays, opposition, and reputational challenges, and how proactive, transparent engagement can mitigate these risks. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to build trust, align with community values, and foster collaborative relationships that pave the way for shared success and sustainability.
14:00 – 14:30 – Break
14:30 – 15:30 – Modernising Consents
This session highlights ongoing efforts to modernise the consenting process for marine energy projects, ensuring it is fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving industry. Panellists will discuss initiatives to simplify regulatory frameworks, integrate innovative data-driven approaches, and enhance collaboration between developers, regulators, and stakeholders. By exploring how these advancements can reduce delays, improve efficiency, and maintain robust environmental safeguards, the session will provide valuable insights into creating a streamlined and effective pathway for project deployment.
15:30 – 16:00 – Break
16:00 – 17:00 – From Potential to Profit: Lessons in Commercialising Marine Renewable Energy
This session will explore the critical transition from reliance on public funding, such as EU grants, to attracting and leveraging private investment to drive growth and innovation in the marine renewable energy sector. Industry leaders, financiers, and developers will share insights and lessons learned from their commercialisation journeys, highlighting strategies to de-risk projects, secure funding, and build robust financial partnerships. Delegates will gain practical knowledge on navigating this evolving landscape, from preparing investment-ready propositions to fostering investor confidence in marine renewables as a profitable and sustainable industry.
19:00 – 23:00 – Networking Dinner
09:30 – 10:30 – META Milestones: R&D in Action
This session celebrates the pioneering projects that have taken to the water at Wales’s national marine energy test centre, META. Showcasing innovative research and development efforts, panellists will share insights into how these projects are advancing marine renewable technologies and overcoming real-world challenges. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how META is fostering innovation, accelerating deployment, and solidifying Wales’s reputation as a leader in marine energy R&D.
10:30 – 11:00 – Break
11:00 – 12:00 – Offshore Wind in Wales: Turning Ambition into Action
Offshore Wind represents a transformational opportunity for Wales. With an estimated £32 billion market potential, thousands of high-quality jobs, and a pathway to energy security and decarbonisation, the time to act is now. This panel will explore key issues the Welsh Government’s Offshore Wind Task and Finish Group examined, focusing on how Wales can maximise the economic and industrial benefits of offshore wind. Industry leaders, policymakers, and regional stakeholders will discuss the critical infrastructure, investment, and workforce development needed to establish Wales as a leader in offshore wind.
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 – Moving Within Range
Tidal range energy holds significant potential within the UK’s renewable energy portfolio, with recent developments offering a renewed opportunity to bring this technology closer to deployment. This session will examine the incremental progress made in advancing small-scale demonstrators, feasibility studies, and community engagement efforts, framing these as steps toward unlocking the broader potential of tidal range projects. Discussions will explore how the sector can leverage political shifts, build momentum, and address challenges to position tidal range as a key contributor to the UK’s clean energy future.
14:00 – 14:30 – Break
14:30 – 15:30 – Floating Stepping Stones: Doing it for the Region
Discover how test and demonstration (T&D) projects play a critical role in unlocking the economic potential of Wales’s floating offshore wind industry. The discussion will highlight how T&D initiatives serve as critical ‘stepping-stones’ to commercial-scale deployment, fostering innovation and supporting the growth of the local supply chain and infrastructure. Panellists will also assess whether the window of opportunity for T&D in the Celtic Sea remains viable and identify immediate actions required to ensure the projects are delivered and create lasting value for the region. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic importance of T&D in securing Wales’s leadership in the floating offshore wind sector.
15:30 – 16:00 – Conference Wrap Up & Close
We’ve worked hard to keep our ticket prices as accessible and inclusive as possible. If these are still a barrier to your attendance, please get in touch with tom.hill@marineenergywales.co.uk to discuss.