The news that the full business case for the Cydnerth project has been approved by Ambition North Wales has been welcomed as a further boost for Anglesey’s Energy Island Programme.

Cydnerth will lead to the expansion of Menter Môn’s Morlais project and see the gird connection strengthened at Parc Cybi in Holyhead. The work, which is set to benefit from Welsh Government investment, has the potential to facilitate energy generation for up to 180,000 Welsh households.

Cydnerth will allow the wider Morlais project to facilitate the deployment of more turbines within the approved zone, enabling it to progress towards the consented energy capacity of 240MW. Cydnerth will support job creation and wider supply chain opportunities within the region, further reinforcing the island’s position as being at the forefront of low carbon energy developments.

Isle of Anglesey County Council Leader and Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Gary Pritchard said, “This announcement is further excellent news for Morlais and enables this project to strengthen its position as the largest consented tidal scheme in Europe.

“It is also a boost to the ambitions of the county council in line with the established Energy Island Programme. The continued, praiseworthy work being done by the Morlais team is a key part of the Programme as we work to ensure our aim of seeing Anglesey at the forefront of research and development of low carbon energy and ensuring economic benefits for the island’s residents.”

“The council continues to support the Morlais project and is pleased to see its progression and advancement by virtue of this Growth Deal agreement. The programme will continue to ensure socio-economic advantages by creating jobs, developing local skills, creating supply chain opportunities and re-investing profit in environmental and community projects through Menter Môn.”

Councillor Pritchard added, “The Morlais project is an essential part of the Energy Island development portfolio and aligns with the decarbonisation strategy of the island, Wales and the UK.”

Morlais’ first tidal energy devices are expected to be deployed at sea next year, with the project substation having been completed during 2023.

Ends 24 February 2025

Notes to editors

The Morlais project already manages an area of 35km2 of the seabed near Holy Island, off the western coast of Anglesey. It has the potential to put the island on the map in relation to tidal energy and to play a key part in Anglesey’s ambition to be recognised as the Energy Island.

The project has the ability to produce up to 240MW of electricity by locating a series of tidal turbines in the sea off the coast of South Stack and this will be one of the largest tidal stream energy sites in the world.

Morlais is one of five projects within the North Wales Growth Deals’ Low Carbon Energy Programme which aims to unlock economic benefits through this growing sector.

It has received support from the Wales European Funding Office, Anglesey County Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as well as North Wales Growth Bid.