Business case for £16m Welsh tidal scheme approved
The next phase of the Morlais Tidal Energy project would increase the scheme’s grid capacity from 18MW to 240MW, giving it the potential to power 180,000 Welsh homes.
The business case for the Cydnerth phase – backed by an £8.9m loan from Ambition North Wales – has now been approved. This could pave the way for strengthened grid connections at Parc Cubi Holyhead and enable developers of tidal energy devices to deploy more turbines within the designated zone.
Found off the west coast of Anglesey, the Morlais energy project is one of seven included in the North Wales Growth Deal’s £1bn low-carbon energy programme, of which £240m is funded by the government.
Due to be completed in 2026, the Cydnerth scheme is the largest consented tidal power plant in Europe and will harness some of the strongest tides in the UK, in an area of the Irish Sea earmarked for tidal power since 2010.
The scheme is to be managed by Menter Môn, a sustainable social enterprise, which has the stated goal of “unlocking the potential of our people and resources to secure the future of our communities”.
Dafydd Gruffydd, managing director at Menter Môn, said: “With the backing of the North Wales Growth Deal, we can now take the next step in expanding the Morlais tidal energy scheme, bringing benefits to our communities, creating local jobs, and contributing to the region’s sustainable growth.”
In 2022, Jones Bros Civil Engineering was appointed as a contractor to carry out the onshore infrastructure for the scheme.
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Rebecca Evans, Welsh government cabinet secretary for economy, energy, and planning, said the approval was a “significant step” for Welsh leadership in tidal and low-carbon sectors.”
She added: “This investment will push economic growth and create high-quality jobs, building on our £8m equity stake in the wider Morlais project and reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable future.
“With the invaluable support of the North Wales Growth Deal, we are ensuring North Wales remains at the forefront of renewable energy, harnessing its natural resources for generations to come.”
