Golden opportunity to create hundreds of jobs in Anglesey

THE chance for Anglesey to lead the world in tidal technology is “too good an opportunity to miss” with the potential to create hundreds of jobs.

That is the view of John Idris Jones, the project director of Morlais Marine Energy, which wants to create demonstration zones off the west coast of the island.

The multi-million pound project would secure the planning permission and grid infrastructure that then paves the way for private energy firms to develop and test their tidal technology.

Mr Jones said that Anglesey and the UK can lead the way in this sector, which he believes can join wind power and nuclear in helping provide low-carbon electricity in the UK.

They already have funding to pursue the planning permissions needed and design the grid connection. Morlais now hope to secure around £30m – including funding as part of the North Wales Growth Bid – to develop the site.

Mr Jones said: “The UK has the opportunity to be a global leader in tidal power and Anglesey can be at the centre of that.

“With any new technology, starting costs are expensive but Morlais can be an enabling project to de-risk schemes for companies as they develop the technology and make them cost effective.

“If we can get this set up then Anglesey can lead the way in the UK, attracting investment to the island.

“There could be hundreds of jobs connected with this, from research and development to supply industries, like the vessels supporting these developments.

“This is too good an opportunity for Anglesey and North Wales to miss.”

The Crown Estate has designated three zones in the UK for tidal stream energy development, including the Morlais zone, situated off Holy Island.

A 45-year lease for this zone was awarded in April 2014 to enterprise agency Menter Môn Ltd.

The zone extends to 35km² of sea bed and can accommodate up to 240MW of generation.

Seven international developers are already on board with Morlais, from countries including the Netherlands, Ireland and as far afield as the USA and Canada.

By providing a ‘Plug and Play’ sea bed zone, manufacturers can install their turbines in array formation they can test and perfect their schemes.

Mr Jones, who has spent decades in the nuclear industry, said: “Tidal power can compliment wind and nuclear power.

“For me the test of any energy project is that they are safe, cost effective and bring a positive impact to the area.

“This industry is at an early stage so costs are still high but I believe they can reach a point where they can compare with wind power and nuclear.

“It is a challenge but the potential benefits are huge if we can make Anglesey and North Wales the global centre of this technology.” A report commissioned by the UK Government, published this month, confirms the potential significant economic benefits of tidal stream energy.

According to the report, published by The ORE Catapult, marine energy industries have the potential to provide a major jobs boost as well as achieve significant reduction in carbon emissions and costs.

The team is hopeful report findings will further strengthen the project’s prospects for future revenue support.

The scheme, supported by Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund, has also secured funding for consent and development from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the Isle of Anglesey County Council and turbine developers.

The next step for Menter Môn is to attract further investment to build the infrastructure for the Morlais zone and to undertake consultation.

Dafydd Gruffydd, managing director at Menter Môn, said: “We welcome the report findings – it’s good news for Anglesey and Morlais, which has the potential to be one of the world’s leading projects in marine energy.

“The main driver for us at Menter Môn is to secure both economic and community benefits for the area.

“This is key to our values as an organisation, and is what lies behind our vision for Morlais.”

The ORE Catapult report will now be passed to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as the Scottish and Welsh Governments, where it is hoped it will pave the way for greater government support, including revenue support in the future.