What CGEN Engineering Ltd does

CGEN Engineering Ltd is a University of Edinburgh spinout headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, that designs and manufactures modular, air-cored permanent magnet generators for renewable energy applications including wave, tidal, wind, and hydro. The company's core technology is built from interchangeable rotor and stator modules that eliminate the heavy iron cores and magnetic attraction forces found in conventional generators, reducing generator mass by up to 30% and enabling fault isolation whereby individual modules can be bypassed and replaced without full system shutdown. Over six years of operational testing across multiple platforms, including an 18+ month continuous sea trial integrated into Mocean Energy's BlueX wave energy converter, underpin the technology's field-validated resilience in harsh marine environments.

The company operates an enterprise B2B go-to-market model, targeting wind farm operators, tidal and wave energy developers, and offshore wind asset owners through direct technical engagement and custom engineering design services. Its revenue streams consist of modular generator hardware sales, specialist electrical design services from concept through commissioning, and a planned future licensing of C-GEN technology IP. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. As of the input period, CGEN has raised over £975k since spinout, received its first equity investment from Old College Capital via an Advanced Subscription Agreement in November 2024, and is preparing a £3M Seed Round in 2025 to fund field deployment in the wind sector. Headcount stands at approximately five employees.

Name

CGEN Engineering Ltd

Legal name

CGEN Engineering Ltd

Website

https://c-gen.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CGEN Engineering Ltd is a University of Edinburgh spinout that develops modular, air-cored permanent magnet generators for wave, tidal, wind, and hydro energy applications, serving renewable energy developers and asset operators through direct B2B sales and custom engineering services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Generators

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Engineering Services (541330), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Renewable Systems & Co-Optimization R&D (Solar+Wind+Storage, Multi-Resource Plants, Controls) (EUAMAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Engineering & Power Distribution (Generation, Switchboards, Cabling, Lighting) (IMAJAGAF), Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Modular generators
• Permanent magnet generators
• Renewable energy systems
• Wave energy converters
• Wind turbine generators

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Generator Hardware Sales: Sale of modular generator systems to renewable energy developers and operators for new installations and retrofit applications in wind, tidal, and wave energy sectors.
2. Engineering and Design Services: Specialist electrical design services for renewable energy systems, including concept development, detailed electrical design, system integration, and commissioning support. Provided from early concept through to final delivery.
3. Technology Licensing: Potential future licensing of C-GEN technology and modular generator IP to manufacturers and energy sector partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CGEN Engineering Ltd designs, manufactures, and supplies modular, air-cored permanent magnet generator systems for renewable energy applications including wave, tidal, wind, and hydro. The company also provides specialist electrical design services covering concept development, detailed design, system integration, and commissioning support for both new-build installations and retrofits of existing assets.

Product overview

CGEN Engineering Ltd offers a single core product portfolio centered on its modular permanent magnet generator technology, complemented by specialist electrical design services. The modular generator system is built from interchangeable modules that can be stacked and configured for different power levels and applications (wave, tidal, wind, hydro). The design eliminates heavy iron cores through an air-cored architecture, enabling fault isolation and bypass capability, reduced mass, and easier maintenance. The design services module supports customers from concept through commissioning, providing tailored integration and deployment expertise for the core generator system across new-build and retrofit installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modular Permanent Magnet Generator Modular, air-cored generator system that converts low-speed, high-torque mechanical energy into clean, efficient electrical power for wave, tidal, wind, and hydro applications. Built from interchangeable rotor and stator modules that can be stacked and configured for different power levels, with fault isolation and bypass capability and reduced mass compared to conventional iron-cored generators.
• Specialist Electrical Design Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% reduction in generator mass
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGEN is a spinout from the University of Edinburgh, founded by researchers from the university. Maintains close links through founding team members Prof Markus Mueller (holds Royal Academy of Engineering Chair) and Dr Joseph Burchell. Over 15 years of shared R&D history.
• Swansea UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGEN Engineering is partnering with Swansea University on the TideGEN project to demonstrate its modular permanent magnet generator at the META test site in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
• 11 European Organisations (MEGA WAVE PTO Consortium)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGEN is a core partner in the EU-funded MEGA WAVE PTO project, working alongside leading technology developers, academic institutions, and industrial partners across Europe to deliver scalable, reliable, and maintainable all-electric PTO systems.
• TechX / Net Zero Technology CentremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCGEN completed the TechX Clean Energy Accelerator run by the Net Zero Technology Centre, gaining mentorship, funding, and industry introductions. Joe Burchell won the Best Pitch Prize at graduation.
• Mocean EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMocean Energy integrated CGEN's modular generator into their BlueX wave energy converter for a 13-month sea trial. The collaboration spanning a decade led to the University of Edinburgh Research Impact Prize.
• Rudders and Fountain Design LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based local design, fabrication, and assembly partners engaged for the TideGEN project, contributing to strengthening UK manufacturing capability in the marine energy supply chain.
• techXsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerClean energy accelerator programme providing mentorship, funding, and industry connections for clean tech start-ups.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä: Finland-headquartered marine and energy technology company with significant presence in marine propulsion, energy storage, and tidal/wave integration. Comparable as an established player in marine energy systems with incumbent relationships to wave/tidal developers.
• ABB: Global electrical equipment manufacturer producing industrial motors and generators used across renewable energy, marine, and industrial applications. Comparable as a major incumbent in generator manufacturing with deep customer relationships in wind and marine sectors.
• Andritz: Austrian global OEM with a major hydro generator manufacturing business. Comparable as an established generator manufacturer serving the renewable energy sector, though at vastly larger scale and with a broader hydro/wind portfolio.
• Siemens Energy: Global wind turbine OEM (including former Siemens Gamesa) producing direct-drive generators at scale for offshore wind. Comparable as the dominant incumbent in offshore wind generator manufacturing that CGEN's modular architecture would compete against for retrofits and new builds.
• GE Vernova: US-headquartered wind, hydro, and grid equipment OEM with major offshore wind generator manufacturing operations. Comparable as an established incumbent that CGEN would compete against in offshore wind retrofits and new-build generator supply.

Direct peers

• Mocean Energy: Scotland-based wave energy developer that has been CGEN's primary development partner and customer, integrating CGEN's generator into its BlueX wave energy converter for an 18+ month sea trial. Comparable as a similarly-sized UK marine renewable technology developer.
• CorPower Ocean: Sweden-based wave energy converter developer with a similar pre-commercial scale profile. Comparable as a European wave energy technology company pursuing PTO system integration for grid-connected marine devices.
• Minesto: Sweden-based tidal energy developer using unique underwater kite technology. Comparable as a European marine renewable technology company at similar pre-commercial scale with similar capital intensity and customer profile.
• Simec Atlantis Energy: UK-based tidal stream developer and operator of the MeyGen project. Comparable as a UK-headquartered marine renewable energy company with similar end-customer profile (utility-scale developers) and policy-driven business model.

Emerging players

• Magnomatics: UK-based developer of magnetic gear and generator technology, also spun out of the University of Sheffield. Comparable as a similarly-sized UK emerging player in advanced permanent-magnet generator technology competing in adjacent renewable and industrial applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cgen-engineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CGEN Engineering Ltd