Consenting

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The Consenting Process

Menter Môn applied to Welsh Government under the Transport and Works Act for consent to develop and operate the Morlais tidal energy project. Menter Môn also applied to Natural Resources Wales Marine Licensing Team for a marine licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Both processes run in parallel with each other. Consent was granted in December 2021.

Environmental Impact Assessment

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was prepared as part of the consenting process, based on a scope of work agreed with National Resources Wales and Welsh Government and informed by statutory consultees. Independent experts conducted detailed studies to understand the potential impacts of the project during construction, operation and decommissioning stages. The studies include:

  • Marine sediment and water quality.
  • Natural heritage, benthic ecology, marine mammals, fish and shellfish, ornithology, terrestrial and coastal ecology.
  • Seascape and landscape.
  • Shipping and navigation.
  • Archaeology and cultural heritage.
  • Tourism and recreation.

Consultation was an important element of the process, with statutory consultees on key technical issues as well as with the community and other interested groups.

An ‘Environmental Statement’ (ES) was submitted with the applications. The ES report set out conclusions on predicted environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures that may be required if impacts cannot be avoided.

 
Stage 1 – Consenting

This stage aimed to ensure consent for the development of Morlais.

Stage 2 – Implementation

Consent was granted to Morlais by Welsh Government in 2021. The focus will now be on what is needed to implement the development.

Construction will happen in phases. Work on land starts in 2022, with work offshore to start in 2023. This will enable developers of tidal energy technology to deploy their devices in the sea and operate them to generate electricity.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009

MARINE WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2007

Application for a variation to Marine Licence ORML1938, Morlais Demonstration Zone

Notice is hereby given that Menter Môn Morlais Limited has furnished Natural Resources Wales (“NRW”) with further information in relation to the above application pursuant to regulation 14 of the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 (‘the EIA Regulations’). Notice of the application and the environmental statement was published on 22 October 2025 and 29 October 2025.

Menter Môn Morlais Limited has applied to NRW for a marine licence under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for a variation Marine Licence ORML1938 Morlais Demonstration Zone to allow for Surface Emergent Seabed Mounted device deployment. The project requires EIA consent and is subject to the requirement for an environmental impact assessment (‘EIA’) under the EIA Regulations. An environmental statement has been prepared by the applicant.

Copies of the further information are available for public inspection free of charge during normal office hours at Neuadd Y Dref Llangefni, Sgwar Bulkeley, Llangefni, LL77 7LR for a period of 35 days from the date of this notice.

Copies of the further information can also be obtained online from https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/  or by emailing NRW at permittingconsultations@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.

If printed copies of the above documents are requested, a charge not exceeding reasonable copying costs may be payable. 

Any person wishing to make representations regarding the further information should do so by writing to NRW at the Permitting Service, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government Offices, Cathays Park, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ or by email to marinelicensing@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk within 35 days of this notice. Representations must be in writing, dated and clearly state the name (in block capitals) and the full return email or postal address of the person making the representation.

Please quote reference number ORML1938v1 in all correspondence.

Representations received from members of the public will be dealt with in accordance with Schedule 5 of the EIA Regulations. Copies of written representations received by NRW will be sent to the applicant and may also be made publicly available. 

NRW is an appropriate authority under the EIA Regulations and has been delegated functions as the appropriate licensing authority by the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. In determining the application, NRW may grant EIA consent for the project; grant EIA consent for the project with conditions attached; or, refuse EIA consent for the project.