The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, marked a momentous occasion this week by officially opening the substation linked to the Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey. This milestone, achieved after over a decade of diligent work, not only signifies a significant step forward for the Morlais project but also holds broader implications for the tidal energy sector in Wales.
Morlais, located off the western coast of Holy Island, stands as the largest consented tidal energy scheme in the United Kingdom. Managed by the Anglesey-based social enterprise, Menter Môn, the project secured a lease from the Crown Estate for a 35km² zone of seabed back in 2014. Subsequent to obtaining consent in 2021, ongoing efforts have focused on establishing onshore infrastructure.
Anticipated to commence sea deployments in 2026, the Morlais project is poised to play a pivotal role in Wales' transition towards a low-carbon economy. First Minister Drakeford emphasized its significance, stating, “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.”
Once operational, the Morlais site has the potential to generate up to 240MW of low-carbon electricity. It introduces a unique model to the sector, where rather than generating electricity itself, Morlais serves as a provider of consent and infrastructure, enabling developers of tidal energy devices to supply electricity to the grid.
Notably, five developers have already secured connections within the Morlais scheme, and discussions with an additional five are at an advanced stage, indicating a growing interest in this renewable energy initiative.
Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, a director with Morlais and a long-standing contributor to the project, expressed his enthusiasm for the achievement. He noted the project's commitment to advancing sustainability and renewable energy and highlighted the collaboration and support from partners and funders. He stated, “I'm excited to see our efforts come to fruition as we get closer to generating electricity off the coast of Anglesey.”
The Morlais tidal energy project represents a promising step forward in the pursuit of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
