What is Morlais?
Morlais is a Menter Môn project which aims to benefit local communities, the economy and help tackle climate change by using renewable energy to generate clean low carbon electricity.
The Morlais project manages a 35 km2 area of seabed off the coast of Holy Island, Anglesey and has the potential to put Ynys Môn on the map in terms of tidal stream energy.
The first stage of the project focussed on securing consent from Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales. Community and stakeholder consultation and engagement was key part of this process. The application was submitted in the autumn of 2019 consent was awarded in December 2021.
The second stage of the project will put the necessary infrastructure in place for developers of tidal stream energy devices to deploy their technology in the zone. Implementation will be phased which means devices will be installed gradually to ensure that the development does not negatively impact marine wildlife.
What is Menter Môn?
Menter Môn is a social enterprise which works across north Wales to deliver a range of regeneration, environmental and cultural projects for the benefit of local communities. By working in partnership with government, the third sector, business and individuals, Menter Môn attracts funding from different sources to add value and to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
For more information on Menter Môn visit www.mentermon.com
About Morlais
- Morlais will provide the infrastructure for developers of tidal energy converters to deploy their tidal devices on a commercial scale.
- There will be a very controlled phased deployment, with the first turbines being carefully and extensively monitored – only when it is confirmed that there are no negative impacts will further devices be installed.
- Morlais has the potential to generate up to 240 MW of electricity.
- The electricity will be transmitted from the Morlais site to the National Grid.
- Depending on the types of tidal devices used, some may be visible above the sea surface and others will be fully submerged and hidden from view.
- Any moving turbine parts or rotors will be below the sea surface.
- For safety purposes there will be some navigation markers showing the location of the devices.
- Any devices on the surface will have lights similar to the navigation lights on small boats.
- Electricity will be brought to a substation on shore via a maximum of 9 sub-sea cables.
- Electricity will be exported from this landfall substation to the existing electricity network via buried cables to grid substation.
How will Morlais Benefit Local Communities?
- Morlais has the potential to create around 100 well paid jobs in the first ten years
- It will help tackle climate change by generating clean electricity from renewable energy
- Improve local skills with apprenticeships and training opportunities
- Work with developers for guaranteed maximum local spend
- Create new supply chain opportunities for local business during construction and operation
- Menter Môn supports local businesses to secure contracts
- The main onshore infrastructure contract is a north Wales based civil engineering company
- All profits will be reinvested locally through a new community benefit fund and through Menter Môn environmental and community projects
