£4.5m boost is milestone for Anglesey as tidal scheme progresses
PLANS to develop a tidal energy scheme off the coast of Anglesey have been given a £4.5m boost.
Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates has announced on Monday that the EU and Welsh Government funds will support the £5.6m Morlais scheme.
The Morlais Tidal Energy Demonstration Zone was selected for its potential for tidal energy as well as its access to Holyhead Port and potential National Grid connections.
Menter Môn, which is managing the seabed for the turbine scheme, ran a competitive process to allocate the Demonstration Zone (off the west coast of the island) – with 14 energy firms making an application. In late 2016, the list was whittled down to eight developers which were selected to move the ambitious project forward with the potential to create a significant number of green energy jobs on the island.
Mr Skates said: “The energy gen- erated from wave and tidal flows can play a major role in delivering our ambitions for a Welsh low carbon economy as well as creating sustainable jobs and growth.
“Wales’ coastline means we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the blue economy, which is why the Welsh Government is committed to supporting the creation of new tidal demonstration zones that will help industry develop and test new and innovative tidal and wave technologies for commercial success.
“We have already invested EU funds towards a feasibility study for a demonstration zone off the Pembrokeshire coast and today I am pleased to announce £4.2m of EU funds and a further £300,000 from the Welsh Government to support preparatory and consent work on the Morlais demonstration zone in Anglesey.
“Once up and running, the fully consented area of seabed will be able to support at least 20MW of grid connection capacity, but with potential for 193.5MW, to enable developers to deploy and test multiple tidal energy technologies.
“Over the next 5 to 10 years we have a real window of opportunity to develop and grow Wales’ marine energy industry. This funding will provide yet another push to drive our ambitions forward.”
Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, for Menter Môn, added: “This is very good news. Menter Môn has worked hard to achieve this important milestone for Anglesey and North Wales.
“It is critical that we position ourselves at the centre of global developments in marine renewable energy, a known growth sector with substantial employment potential.”