The Welsh Government has taken an £8 million (USD$9.94 million) equity stake in the Morlais tidal energy project which is anticipated to generate 240 megawatts (MW) of low carbon clean electricity when it becomes operational in 2026.
Owned and managed by Ynys Môn social enterprise Menter Môn, the Morlais tidal scheme manages an area of 35 square kilometers of the seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). The Welsh government said the Anglesey site has the potential to generate enough energy for up to 180,000 typical Welsh households, offering a ‘plug and play’ model for developers of tidal energy devices.
The Welsh Government investment will help fund the Cydnerth phase of the project, which will see the grid connection strengthened at Parc Cybi, Holyhead.
“We want to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technologies and we’re off to a good start on several fronts,” said Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said. “Our investment will support Menter Môn Morlais to scale up capacity, and develop an industrial cluster for tidal energy and innovation in north Wales, whilst delivering jobs and growth through its pioneering technology, keeping the value local.”
