QED completes Critical Design Review
Mor Energy Selects Tidal Technology for Morlais Mentro Môn Berth
Mor Energy is pleased to announce the selection of the tidal energy technology to be deployed at its allocated berth within the Morlais Demonstration Zone off the coast of Ynys Môn (Anglesey). Following a comprehensive assessment process, Mor Energy has selected QED Naval’s Subhub tidal platform paired with Tocardo T3‑Q tidal turbines, representing a major milestone in the delivery of its tidal energy ambitions at Morlais.
QED Naval (QED) and Tocardo have spent more than a decade developing this technology, progressing it to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8. The Subhub platform and T3‑Q turbine combination has been designed from the outset to support commercial-scale early stage arrays, with a strong focus on reliability, maintainability and cost reduction—key requirements for long‑term success in the sector.
A Proven Technology Platform
The Subhub is a subsea tidal turbine support platform designed to simplify offshore installation and maintenance, while minimising intervention time and operational risk. Its modular architecture allows turbines to be installed, recovered and serviced without the need for heavy-lift vessels, offering clear benefits in terms of safety, availability and whole‑life cost.
The Tocardo T3‑Q tidal turbine has been developed to operate in energetic tidal environments, delivering high efficiency and robust performance. Together, the Subhub and T3‑Q form an integrated system more suited to the low‑flow conditions at Morlais Mentro Môn and aligned with Mor Energy’s ambitions for scalable and commercially viable tidal generation.
Completion of FEED and Critical Design Review
As part of the technology development programme, QED and Tocardo have recently completed a formal stage‑gate design review, marking the successful conclusion of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase. This work has refined the technical design, validated performance assumptions and confirmed readiness for downstream project phases.
The culmination of this effort was the successful Critical Design Review (CDR), held on Thursday 23 April, at which the completed design was formally presented. The CDR assessed both technical and commercial aspects of Mor Energy’s Phase 1 project – First of A Kind (FOAK) Commercial Array, ensuring that all key risks had been identified, understood and mitigated to an acceptable level.
The review process confirmed that the Subhub and T3‑Q technology has successfully addressed the full range of engineering, operability, installation, and lifecycle considerations required for deployment at Morlais. Completion of the CDR provides confidence that the design is robust, mature and suitable for progression towards manufacturing and deployment.
Reflecting on the outcome of the Critical Design Review, Mor Energy welcomed the progress made while recognising the scale of the achievement:
“The CDR identified a small number of areas where further information is required, but this represents a major milestone when set against the amount of engineering work that has been completed. QED Naval’s engineering team have worked extremely hard and diligently to deliver a mature design, completing all the necessary load cases, hydrodynamic analyses and structural assessments required to address the high‑priority risks identified within the project risk register.”
This achievement demonstrates the depth, rigour and quality of the engineering effort undertaken to date and provides strong confidence in the readiness of the Subhub and Tocardo T3‑Q system as Mor Energy progresses towards deployment at Morlais Mentro Môn.
Supporting Commercial Tidal Energy in Wales
Mor Energy’s selection of this technology underlines its commitment to deploying proven, low‑risk solutions that can accelerate the commercialisation of tidal energy in Wales and beyond. The Morlais project represents one of the most advanced tidal stream development zones in the world, and technology selection is a critical step in realising its potential.
By choosing a platform and turbines that has already progressed through FEED and CDR to TRL 8, Mor Energy is reducing project risk while supporting UK‑based supply chains and engineering expertise and have shown the around 40% of the supply chain for the project is produced in Wales. The project also aligns closely with regional and national ambitions to grow the marine energy sector, create long‑term skilled jobs and contribute to net‑zero targets and energy security through the only predictable type of renewable power generation.
Next Steps
With technology now selected and design maturity confirmed, Mor Energy will move forward with the next stages of project development at Morlais Mentro Môn. This includes preparation for manufacturing, supply chain engagement and detailed planning towards installation and commissioning.
Mor Energy looks forward to working closely with QED Naval, Tocardo, Menter Môn Morlais and wider stakeholders as the project progresses, bringing reliable tidal energy generation closer to commercial reality.