Frequently Asked Questions
1. What and where is Morlais?
Morlais is a tidal stream energy project off the north west coast of Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). It aims to benefit local communities, the economy and climate by generating clean low carbon electricity using tidal power.
It is the largest consented tidal energy site in Europe and is owned and manged by Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, a subsidiary of social enterprise Menter Môn.
Once operational the site has potential to generate up to 240MW electricity – enough for about 180,000 typical Welsh households. It is seen as a unique model within the tidal sector as it will provide developers of tidal energy turbines with a reduced risk model of deploying their technology on a commercial scale. Rather than producing electricity itself, Morlais will provide developers with the consent and infrastructure they need to generate electricity.
2. Who is Menter Môn?
Menter Môn is a social enterprise which works across Wales to deliver a range of regeneration, environmental and cultral project for the benefit of local communities. By working in partnership with government, third sector, business and individuals, Mentern Môn attracts funding from differetn sources to add value and to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
3. What is the role of the Crown Estate?
In 2014 Menter Môn secured the Crown Estate lease for a 35KM2 zone of seabed, then known as the ‘West Anglesey Demonstration Zone’. This is the area we now know as Morlais.
The zone is one of several around the United Kingdom which have been designated by The Crown Estate in a bid to encourage and accelerate the development of technology in this tidal stream sector.
Each of the zones were identified because they offer appropriate wave and tidal energy potential and access to necessary infrastructure, including ports and electricity grid.
4. What’s next for Morlais?
Tidal energy devices are expected to be deployed from 2027. Devices will be deployed gradually to ensure marine birds and mammals are not harmed.
In the meantime, further environmental monitoring, planning, and preparation work will continue to ensure the technology is deployed safely and effectively.
5. Who funds Morlais?
Morlais and its associated projects (see below) have received funding from various sources including the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government; Welsh Government; Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; North Wales Growth Deal; The Crown Estate; and the Isle of Anglesey County Council.
Once operational, developers who will operate from Morlais will benefit from the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference scheme, which provides a guaranteed price for the renewable electricity they generate.
6. What is the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference and how does it apply to Morlais?
The Contracts for Difference scheme is the UK Government’s main way of supporting low-carbon electricity projects. It gives renewable energy projects a stable, long-term price for the electricity generated. If market prices are lower, the project receives a top-up, and if they are higher, the difference is paid back.
8. What is tidal stream energy?
Tidal stream energy is a form of renewable energy that uses the natural flow of tidal currents to generate electricity. Because tides are regular and predictable, it is a reliable source of clean, low-carbon power.
9. How does it work?
In some coastal areas, fast-moving tidal currents create the right conditions for generating electricity. The west coast of Ynys Môn and Ynys Cybi (Holy Island) is one of these places, with some of the strongest currents in Europe.
Tidal devices and turbines use the movement of the water to drive a generator, which produces electricity. That electricity is then carried by cables to a substation before being fed into the national grid for homes and businesses.
10. Where else is tidal stream energy being developed?
Tidal stream energy is being developed and tested in several coastal locations in the UK and around the world. In the UK, key sites include Orkney, the Pentland Firth in Scotland, and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Internationally, projects and testing have also taken place in countries such as France, Canada, Japan and the Faroe Islands, where strong tidal currents create suitable conditions for this technology.
11. Are tidal devices a danger to marine life?
To ensure that the devices and turbines are deployed safely within the Morlais Zone, we have worked with partners and experts on the Tanfor project (formerly know as the Marine Characterisation Research Project). The aim of Tanfor is to safeguard marine wildlife and ensure tidal energy turbines are deployed safely. Through this work, an Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan has been developed to guide how devices are deployed and operated responsibly.
This plan includes ongoing environmental monitoring and mitigation measures to reduce any potential impact on marine mammals, seabirds and other wildlife. It also supports a phased approach to deployment, so devices can be introduced gradually and only expanded as evidence shows it is safe to do so.
12. How did the Tanfor project (MCRP) do this?
Tanfor worked with partners from academia, the private and public sector – on many projects to monitor the behaviour of wildlife. Amongst those was the Marinus research buoy - the Marinus has been central to tracking marine mammals and birds in the area. Equipped with cutting‑edge monitoring technology, the information and data it gathered will be vital to safeguarding wildlife as the Morlais tidal energy scheme progresses.
All the data collected by Tanfor has contributed significantly to the Crown Estate’s Marine Data Exchange, which adds to the growing evidence base and enables discussions on transferability of data in the UK.
Data gathered by Tanfor will also be made available to tidal schemes across the world and will help promote the growth of the sector.
13. What do the tidal energy devices and turbines look like?
There are many different types of tidal energy devices and turbines. They include devices anchored to the seabed, mid-water devices, as well as floating surface devices.
14. Will I see or hear the turbines and devices?
Many of the turbines will not be visible; however, the floating devices will be visible. The turbines produce very little noise above the sea’s surface.
15. What are the benefits of Morlais for local people and businesses?
We are committed to ensuring that the local area benefits from Morlais. Menter Môn Morlais already employs 19 people and will create more jobs in the future as the scheme grows. It will also provide supply chain, apprenticeship and training opportunities. We are already working with many local businesses to deliver Morlais – this is set to increase as the scheme progresses.
16. How are we helping local businesses?
We have an appointed Supply Chain Officer who proactively networks with local businesses to inform and support them in applying for upcoming Morlais procurement opportunities. We regularly hold events and workshops for the supply chain.
17. How are you working with young people to raise awareness of future opportunities with Morlais and tidal industry?
We work with key partners such as Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (further education college), Bangor University, Careers Wales and the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership to ensure the skills needed for Morlais are being developed today. We have a Skills and Training Project Officer who regularly visits local schools, colleges, and universities to raise awareness around Morlais and future work opportunities.
We also host work experience and internship placements for young people to help them learn more about the industry.
18. How do you involve and communicate with the local community?
We regularly attend local events such as the Anglesey Show and other local festivals to meet and speak to local communities about Morlais.
We have social media channels which we use to share the latest news and have a quarterly newsletter which people can sign up to in order to get the latest news direct to their inbox. You can sign up here.
We also have a six-monthly Community Liaison Group (CLG) with invited representatives from local interest groups and associations. We update members with recent development at the CLG.
For updates, check morlaisenergy.com or email info@morlaisenergy.com