PATRON FOCUS Major North Wales tidal energy project expands to support green growth

Welsh Government backing has been given to what will become the largest consented tidal energy project in Europe.

Owned and managed by Ynys Môn social enterprise Menter Môn, the Morlais tidal scheme is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and will be operational from 2026. The Welsh Government has taken an £8m equity stake in the project to ensure progress. The Anglesey site has the potential to generate enough energy for up to 180,000 typical Welsh households, offering a unique ‘plug and play’ model for developers of tidal energy devices. This will help reduce costs as they scale up operations to generate clean electricity. The Welsh Government investment will help fund the Cydnerth phase of the project, which will see the grid connection strengthened at Parc Cybi, Holyhead.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:

“We want to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technologies and we’re off to a good start on several fronts. innovation, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration across the region.”

“Our investment will support Menter Môn Morlais to scale up capacity and develop an industrial cluster for tidal energy and innovation in North Wales, whilst delivering jobs and growth through its pioneering technology, keeping the value local.

“This will further benefit clean energy suppliers of all sizes and position Wales at the forefront of the energy transition.”

Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn said:

“We welcome the Minister’s announcement, which strengthens our ability to deliver clean energy and local jobs through the Morlais project. This funding supports our vision to position North Wales as a leader in tidal energy

John Idris Jones, Chair of Menter Môn Morlais Ltd added:

“This funding demonstrates the Welsh Government’s commitment to renewable energy and the significant role tidal power can play in our energy future. By supporting projects like Morlais, we are not only unlocking the potential of our natural resources but also laying the foundation for a resilient, green economy in North Wales.”

Next chapter for Anglesey tidal energy with launch of Cydnerth

Work will soon begin on site in Holyhead to strengthen the grid connection for the Menter Môn Morlais tidal energy scheme. This is another important milestone for the project, which will see clean low-carbon electricity generated off the coast of Anglesey.

Owned and run by social enterprise, Menter Môn, the work on the Cydnerth project at Parc Cybi will future-proof Morlais enabling it to progress towards its potential generating capacity of 240 MW. The expansion aims to create new jobs and supply chain opportunities, cementing the region’s position in the tidal energy sector.

Work set to begin in February involves clearing trees to install underground cables to transmit electricity from the Morlais substation near South Stack to the national grid. The land will be restored after construction, including landscaping and replanting trees.

John Idris Jones, Chair of the Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, said: “We welcome this step, which brings us closer to ensuring Ynys Môn can harness more from our natural tidal resources, transforming our area into a sustainable energy hub. The work at Parc Cybi to strengthen the grid connection is a vital part of this process.

“We understand the importance of protecting our local environment and ensuring minimal disruption to the community. The land will be fully restored after the work, and there will be no impact on biodiversity, access to public footpaths or other amenities. As a local company, ensuring the project benefits our communities while respecting the natural landscape is important to us.”

North Wales-based, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK Ltd has been appointed as the contractor for the work. With its base in Ruthin, the company is committed to employing local people and supporting apprentices from the region.

John Idris Jones added: “The involvement of Jones Bros means that the next phase for Morlais not only delivers vital infrastructure but also provides economic benefits to the local community through jobs and skills development. This has been an important driver for Morlais since the project inception.”

This next phase of the Morlais project is supported by Welsh Government and the North Wales Growth Deal.

Morlais is the largest consented tidal energy scheme in Europe. The substation linked to the project was completed in 2023 and the first tidal energy devices are expected to be deployed at sea in 2026.