Morlais

This article is about the tidal power station. For the medieval bishop, see Morfyw. For the castle, see Morlais Castle.
Morlais
Map
CountryWales
LocationHoly Island, Anglesey
Coordinates53°18′23″N 4°43′00″W / 53.30639°N 4.71667°W / 53.30639; -4.71667
StatusUnder construction
Construction began2022
Owner(s)Mentor Môn
Operator(s)Mentor Môn
Tidal power station
TypeTidal stream generator
CrossesIrish Sea
Power generation
Units operationalNone as yet
Nameplate capacity240 MW (potential)
External links
Websitehttps://www.morlaisenergy.com
[edit on Wikidata]

Morlais is a grid connected tidal stream energy project located in the Irish Sea just off the west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales. It is being developed by the social enterprise agency Menter Môn. The site has the potential for up to 240 MW of renewable energy to be harnessed from the tides, using a mixture of seabed mounted and floating tidal energy devices from different companies.

The 35 km2 (14 sq mi) site was designated for tidal energy by The Crown Estate in 2010, as the West Anglesey Demonstration Zone, and has been leased for 45 years.[1][2][3] Consent for the scheme was obtained in December 2021 from Natural Resources Wales. The scheme was awarded £31m from the European Regional Development Fund in March 2022, possibly the last significant project from this fund.[4] Following this, construction started in 2022, with phased installation so that any environmental impacts could be understood.[5]

The first devices to harvest power from the tides are expected to be installed in 2026. Before then, preparatory works including the grid connection are being constructed. Mark Drakeford officially opened the onshore substation in October 2023,[6] noting that "Morlais is a groundbreaking project and a key part of our transition to a low carbon economy".[7]

RSPB Cymru expressed concerns about the scheme's potential impacts on wildlife, including guillemots and razorbills.[8] An environmental impact assessment was completed, with detailed independent studies on various aspects of the project construction, operation, and decommissioning.[9] Environmental surveys are still ongoing, with a monitoring buoy equipped with cameras and other sensors deployed in July 2023,[10] as part of the Marine Characterisation Research Project.[11]

  1. ^ "The Morlais story | Morlais". www.morlaisenergy.com. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  2. ^ IEA-OES (2023). Annual Report: An Overview of Ocean Energy Activities in 2022 (Report). International Energy Agency.
  3. ^ Vogel, C. R.; Taira, D. T.; Carmo, B. S.; Assi, G. R. S.; Willden, R. H. J.; Meneghini, J. R. (1 November 2019). "Prospects for Tidal Stream Energy in the UK and South America: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities". Polytechnica. 2 (1): 97–109. doi:10.1007/s41050-019-00017-y. ISSN 2520-8063. S2CID 256464354.
  4. ^ "Morlais tidal project on Anglesey gets £31m EU funding". BBC News. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ Ungoed-Thomas, Jon (24 April 2022). "Could Anglesey's tidal energy project drive a new energy revolution?". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Energy site official opening | Morlais". www.morlaisenergy.com. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Official opening of Wales' first tidal stream energy site on Anglesey". North Wales Chronicle. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Power project could be 'devastating' for island seabirds". BBC News. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Morlais Tidal Demonstration Zone | Tethys". tethys.pnnl.gov. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Morlais tidal energy: 'World-leading' buoy protects wildlife". BBC News. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Marine Characterisation Research Project". Menter Môn. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023.