MARINE ENERGY WALES
Wales' first tidal stream energy site is officially opened

After more than a decade of work and planning, the substation linked to Morlais tidal energy on Anglesey has been officially opened by Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, marking a significant milestone not just for the project itself but for the Welsh tidal energy sector as a whole.

Morlais is a groundbreaking project and a key part of our transition to a low carbon economy. It is an example of the type of development that will help Wales reach our net zero targets and underlines the importance of investing in clean energy infrastructure for our future generations.

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales

Located off the west coast of Holy Island, Morlais is the largest consented tidal energy scheme in the UK. It is seen as a unique model within the sector - rather than producing electricity itself, Morlais will provide tidal energy developers with the consent and infrastructure they need to supply electricity to the grid.

Once operational, Morlais has the potential to generate up to 240MW of electricity. Five developers have already agreed connection within the scheme, and there are ongoing discussions with another five. The first tidal energy devices are expected to be deployed at sea in 2026.

Marine Energy Wales is proud to support Morlais, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the project team earlier this year. The partnership aims to address common challenges, encourage business and research collaboration and exchange knowledge and best practices. It is also a chance for Marine Energy Wales to share their ongoing experience of setting up and managing Wales' Marine Energy Test Area (META), the only pre-consented, pre-commercial test facility of its kind in the country.  

Jay Sheppard is Marine Energy Wales' Project Manager and is based in Anglesey. He says today's opening is a landmark day for the sector.

Morlais is and will continue to be vitally important to the success of Wales' tidal energy sector. It has addressed a key issue for developers by providing the consents and grid connection needed to allow them to get on with what they do best - developing the technology itself.

Our focus, with Morlais, will now be on facilitating collaboration between the berth holders. We hope to coordinate cost-sharing initiatives and explore ways in which they can work together moving forward, such as shared survey data.

Support from Welsh Government has been crucial to this project and we will continue to call for further support going forward so that the renewables industry as a whole can thrive.

Jay Sheppard, Project Manager, Marine Energy Wales.

Menter Môn, the social enterprise who manage the Morlais project, first secured a Crown Estate lease for the 35km2 area of seabed in 2014. Work has been ongoing since then to put onshore infrastructure in place, and consent was secured in 2021.

Gerallt Llewelyn Jones is a director with Morlais and has been at the heart of the project since its inception.

This is a huge day for us. We have faced many challenges along the way, but thanks to the determination of the team and support from partners and funders we can now look forward to the next phase in the scheme's development.

As a Menter Môn project, Morlais is rooted in our local community and the broader economic landscape. From day one we've been committed to advancing a more sustainable and renewable energy future and today's achievement reflects our team's dedication. I'm excited to see our efforts come to fruition as we get closer to generating electricity off the coast of Anglesey.

Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, Director, Morlais

Members of QED Naval, Morlais berth holder and recent CfD winner were also present at the official opening ceremony, alongside other tidal energy developers.

This is really the birth of a new industry and a new sector. There's a real buzz around the place today so it's great being a part of that.

We were really keen to be a part of this event and to pass back our appreciation for all the hard work that's been done by Menter Mon and for Morlais. I know a great deal has been done by Marine Energy Wales as well in supporting it.

We've had various visits to North Wales, we've started employing people in North Wales, and it is our intent to start building supply chain specifically in Holyhead and we're working with local stakeholders in order to make this happen.

Jeremy Smith, Director, QED Naval

In line with the Menter Môn commitment to secure benefit to the north Wales economy, Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering has been responsible for the construction of the substation officially opened by the First Minister. Working with other local companies, they also undertook the cabling work, connecting the scheme to the national grid.

The project, once operational, will ensure that the island leads the way in terms of tidal energy contributing to national net zero targets.

It will also continue to provide significant local and regional economic benefits by creating jobs, enhancing skills and supply chain opportunities.

It is also important to recognise that the Morlais project will be re-investing profits into those local communities that are accommodating the development.

Cllr Llinos Medi, Leader, Isle of Anglesey County Council

The project is funded by the European Regional Development fund through the Welsh Government. The Isle of Anglesey County Council, The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and North Wales Growth Deal have also supported the project.