How Intertek Metoc is driving innovative solutions for developers across the energy transition

Net Zero Industry Wales spoke to Dr Paul Evans, Principal Consultant at Intertek Metoc, about its its growing presence in Wales, and how it is working to support the development of a low-carbon economy.

Part of the Intertek group, Intertek Metoc is developing innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change, helping clients adapt to a rapidly changing world while ensuring sustainable practices that protect ecosystems.

Hi Paul. Who are Intertek Metoc, and how are you supporting industrial decarbonisation across Wales?

Intertek Metoc is a specialist consultancy focused on helping organisations navigate the technical, environmental, and regulatory challenges on their way to a low-carbon economy.

With more than 40 years of experience in marine, coastal, and energy infrastructure, we bring together engineers, environmental scientists, modellers, and regulatory experts to support the development of resilient, future‑proof projects.

Our team is focused on enabling clients to secure compliance, reduce costs, manage risks, and optimise asset performance from feasibility through to decommissioning – our phrase is: ‘where engineering meets the environment’.

We are UK-based but operate on projects globally. Intertek Metoc’s multi-disciplinary experts work across industries and projects including wind, wave and tidal energy, subsea cables, water, and oil & gas. We provide the technical assessments and evidence needed to ensure projects are viable and that our stakeholders have confidence in the  long‑term performance of their assets.

Why did you choose Wales as a location? What’s its USP?

Wales was a natural choice because it brings together everything you need to drive a successful low‑carbon transition: a good industrial base, world‑class natural resources, and a clear national commitment to reaching net zero.

It’s a place where industry, government, and communities are genuinely motivated to work together, which creates the right environment for meaningful change.

Wales has a proud industrial heritage and a coastline with vast renewable energy potential. It also has an increasing number of innovators and skilled people ready to shape the next chapter of clean industry. That blend of capability and commitment makes Wales an exciting place to support decarbonisation and help build a more sustainable future. Intertek Metoc’s growing Cardiff office provides the right base for us to support those efforts.

What would you say is the biggest challenge for marine energy developers right now when it comes to cost efficiency, ensuring quality, and reducing safety risks?

At present, the biggest challenge for marine energy developers is balancing innovation with reliability on the way to full commercialisation.

These projects operate offshore, where conditions can often be hostile and, as such, every component has to be designed to withstand these conditions. Despite these challenges, developers are making great strides — particularly as cost efficiency is improving all the time. This cost efficiency is driven by smarter designs, better materials, and growing experience in the sector.

At the same time, quality standards are rising, with developers using advanced modelling, testing, and monitoring to make sure systems are built to last. For example, Intertek Metoc can support marine energy projects by helping developers navigate the often convoluted and complicated consenting process, which requires specialist technical and modelling studies. Developers are now proving that marine energy can be reliable, safe, and increasingly competitive – laying the foundations for a sector that’s ready to play a major role in the clean‑energy mix.

Protecting the environment and biodiversity is critical to Wales’ sustainability plans. How can Wales make sure that we balance the need for new developments whilst ensuring these protections remain in place?

It is important to recognise that balancing new development while protecting Wales’ environment and biodiversity is not necessarily a conflict.

Wales has shown that you can support growth while still putting nature at the heart of decision‑making, and the key is making sure every project is planned with care, evidence, and long‑term thinking.

The initial stage is to understand your environment sufficiently before development takes place. By carrying out early surveys, modelling, and environmental assessments, developers can spot sensitive habitats, protected species, and potential risks long before construction begins. This allows projects to be designed in a way that avoids or minimises impacts from the start.

When developers, environmental experts, regulators and local communities work together, it becomes much easier to find solutions that support both development and nature.

Wales already has a strong culture of partnership, which helps keep projects transparent and grounded in local priorities. That means using designs that enhance biodiversity, restoring habitats where possible, and monitoring the environment throughout a project’s life so any issues can be addressed quickly.

I’m sure you’re aware that planning & consenting is frequently cited as one of the big barriers to development here in Wales. What are your thoughts on that?

Planning and consenting can often feel like a hurdle in Wales. But, it’s also an area where we’re seeing real progress.

Wales places a strong emphasis on doing things properly, protecting its landscapes and seascapes, and making sure communities benefit from new projects. That level of care can naturally make the process feel slower. Timelines, requirements, and expectations can sometimes be unclear, which makes it harder to plan investment and keep momentum.

That said, there is a big motivation to streamline this — with better guidance, more collaboration, and a growing recognition that renewable and low‑carbon projects need a smoother path.

What’s encouraging is that developers are already rising to the challenge. By engaging early, sharing data openly, and designing projects with nature and communities in mind, they’re helping to build trust and speed up decision‑making.

Your team works across industries such as wind, wave, and tidal energy, subsea cable, water, and oil & gas. Why is a diverse energy mix so important to a just transition?

A diverse energy mix plays an important role in supporting a just transition because it ensures that everyone benefits from the shift to cleaner, more sustainable energy, while making sure the overall system remains robust.

No single technology can meet all our needs — and relying too heavily on one source can create gaps in reliability, affordability, or local opportunity. Having a blend of wind, wave, tidal, solar, hydrogen, and other low‑carbon solutions is important. Each technology brings something different to the table – whether it’s predictable tidal power, large‑scale offshore wind, or flexible storage and hydrogen systems. Together, they create a stronger, more resilient energy system for all.

A diverse mix also means more chances for different communities and industries to take part in the transition, creating more jobs and boosting Wales’ economy. Coastal regions can benefit from marine energy; industrial areas can tap into hydrogen and carbon‑reduction technologies; and rural areas can support onshore renewables. This contributes to a more balanced distribution of economic opportunity across Wales.

It is important to understand that a varied energy system helps keep costs stable and protects energy security, making sure households and businesses aren’t left vulnerable to price spikes or supply disruptions.

Find out more about Intertek Metoc here.