Anglesey County Council has welcomed two very important milestones in achieving the innovative tidal stream energy project, Morlais.
The Morlais project by Menter Môn already manages an area of 35km2 of the sea bed 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.
Last week, (Friday, 10 December), Welsh Government's Minister for Climate Change, Julie James AS, announced that she had given consent for the Morlais Demonstration Zone under the Transport and Works Act. Yesterday (Tuesday 14 December), Natural Resources Wales also announced that they would grant Morlais a marine licence.
Anglesey County Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi said, “These two decisions are very important milestones in order to be able to achieve the Morlais project, the first of its kind in Wales. It will attract tidal energy technology developers from across the world to demonstrate their devices in the Irish Sea to the west of Holy Island.”
“As referred to by the Minister in her decision letter, there will be socio-economic advantages that will arise from diversification and decarbonising the energy supply in North-west Wales which will include jobs and supply chain opportunities and the opportunity to develop local skills.”
The Morlais 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.
Economic Development and Major Projects portfolio holder, Cllr Carwyn Jones added, “I’m very pleased that this key project has received the backing of the Minister and Natural Resources Wales. It’s a clean energy project that ticks all the boxes for us here on the Island. It also forms an important part of the Energy Island Programme portfolio of projects and aligns with both the Decarbonisation Strategies of Wales and the UK.”
“I have already congratulated Morlais and Menter Môn who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this innovative project receives the necessary permissions.”
“If we are to achieve our carbon targets and ensure a better future for all, it is essential that we take advantage of the clean tidal energy here on Anglesey and along the coastline of Wales. I sincerely hope that this will now be the catalyst the sector has been waiting patiently for.”
Morlais has received support from the Wales European Funding Office, Anglesey County Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as well as North Wales Growth Bid.
Ends 15 December 2021