Marine Energy

UK’s Morlais gets additional power with latest government auction

The project has the potential to generate up to 240MW of low-carbon clean electricity, Morlais said.
UK’s Morlais gets additional power with latest government auction
Torcado Turbines (image supplied by HydroWing)

The Anglesey tidal energy project Morlais has seen an additional 10 MW awarded to one of its turbine developers in the latest UK Government renewable energy auction, AR6.

Morlais is Menter Môn’s tidal stream energy project. It manages an area of 35Km² of the seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). The scheme has the potential to generate up to 240 MW of low carbon clean electricity, Morlais said.

The Contract for Difference (CfD) given to HydroWing is meant to provide the developer revenue security for electricity generated as part of Morlais, as well as pave the way for the expansion of the Ynys Môn scheme, as owner Menter Môn Morlais plans achieving a generating capacity of 240 MW.

With the landfall substation near South Stack, Holyhead completed last year, the team is now working with potential technology developers and local suppliers.

“We are still at the start of our journey and see today’s news as an important step forward as we grow the project to its full potential,” said John Idris Jones, Chair of Menter Môn Morlais. “Morlais is unique – we are locally owned and have been driven from day one by an ambition to ensure benefits for Ynys Môn and north Wales – bringing business and employment opportunities, as well as environmental gains. By working with our developers, we have the potential to attract over £50 million of investment to the area, this has always been central to our plans.”

The CfD scheme was set up to provide government support to the renewable energy sector in the UK. As well as aiming to provide developers a guaranteed price for their electricity, it also considers tidal stream as a reliable energy source. This is an ongoing process, Menter Môn said, and it continues to prepare for the next allocation round in 2025.

Morlais is the largest consented tidal energy development in Europe. Once built, it has the potential to generate up to 240MW of clean low carbon electricity. The first turbines are expected to be deployed at sea in 2026.

The project has been funded to date by the European Regional Development funded through the Welsh Government. The Isle of Anglesey County Council, North Wales Growth Deal, as well as The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have also supported the project.

Last year, HydroWing was awarded a contract for a 10 MW tidal stream energy project located at the Morlais tidal energy site in Anglesey. HydroWing is designed to be a cost-effective and scalable solution to tidal stream energy generation. A supporting structure sits on the seabed, under its own weight. The “wings” that hold the turbines are then lowered into position on this structure. The turbines are bi-directional, so they generate power as the tide comes in and as it goes out.