Minesto has deemed the £4.5 million funding award for the Morlais tidal energy demonstration zone as very encouraging for the development of tidal energy in Wales.
The Morlais Demonstration Zone , expected to accelerate the development and commercialisation of multiple tidal stream technologies, is in close proximity to the area of Minesto’s Holyhead Deep site.
The Swedish tidal energy developer Minesto said it is collaborating with Morlais Marine Energy to jointly develop grid and cable infrastructure for the demonstration zone and Minesto’s future proposed array in Holyhead Deep, located off Anglesey.
Martin Edlund , CEO of Minesto, said: “This is fantastic news for Morlais and very encouraging for the development of tidal energy in Wales. Collaborating initiatives between the Holyhead Deep site and the Morlais Demonstration Zone could significantly reduce costs and minimize the combined environmental footprint of the two projects.”
Minesto plans to install its 500kW Deep Green tidal power plant in Holyhead Deep in 2018. The plant will feature a single Deep Green tidal device, seabed foundation and a buoy moored at surface.
Following the installation of the first power plant, Minesto plans to take a phased approach to develop the site further to up to 80MW of installed capacity.