Menter Môn has received a letter from Julie James, Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, indicating that she is ‘minded’ to grant the scheme permission subject to satisfying certain planning conditions.
In response to the letter John Idris Jones, Director with Morlais, said: “We welcome the positive response from the Minister to our Transport and Works Act Order application to develop the Morlais tidal energy project. This brings us a step closer to ensuring the scheme becomes a reality.
“We acknowledge that we have further work to do to satisfy the conditions set out by the Planning Inspectorate. We will now move forward to ensure we can take the necessary action to secure final consent.
“From day one our aim has been to make sure that this project brings local benefits in terms of the environment, jobs, training and supply chain opportunities. Morlais is owned and run locally by Menter Môn – this means we will ensure those benefits come back into local communities.
“Importantly tidal energy is low carbon, it is clean and reliable – our aim through this development is to play our part in tackling climate change to ensure we leave behind a legacy we can be proud of.”
Additional notes to editor:
- The Inspector recommends the Order should be made subject to amendments and the Direction should be made subject to planning conditions.
- The project has secured the support of the Wales European Funding Office (WEFO) as well as from the North Wales Growth Deal, subject to approval of its final business case.
- A decision is also expected by Natural Resources Wales with regards to granting Morlais with a Marine Licence. The licence is necessary in order to deploy turbines in the sea.
- If all the necessary consents are given, construction and operation will happen in phases to enable monitoring of impact on wildlife and habitat. Work on land is expected to begin in 2021, with work offshore to start in 2023.
For further information please contact: Llinos Iorwerth on llinos@atebcymru.wales or 07970 997124.
