Tidal support crew wanted for Morlais demo zone

Menter Môn has launched two tenders to support the development of a tidal energy demonstration area proposed off Anglesey known as the Morlais Demonstration Zone.

The third party manager of the zone, Menter Môn, is looking to hire technical design and contract support for the Morlais project, off North Wales.

The companies encouraged to apply to the tender – running until August 16, 2018 on Sell2Wales portal – should be experienced in design and engineering for the energy sector.

The Morlais Demonstration Zone lies to the west of Holy Island, approximately 0.5 km off South Stack, within an area encompassing a range of tidal resources, with stronger tidal regimes found towards the east of the area.

Menter Môn has also published a tender for navigational risk assessment for the zone. The contract – up for grabs until August 22, 2018 – also covers the review of accompanying environmental statement chapter for shipping and navigation for the Morlais project, according to the information on the Welsh government’s procurement portal.

The zone is one of several marine areas or ‘zones’ around the United Kingdom which have been leased by The Crown Estate in a bid to encourage and accelerate marine energy technology development.

Each of the zones was identified because it offered appropriate wave and tidal energy potential and access to necessary infrastructure, including ports and electricity grid.

The Morlais Demonstration Zone will eventually encompass up to 240MW, grid-connected, consented location for tidal energy developers to deploy tidal array projects.

Devices will be installed in a number of berths which will be designated across the site. The total number of tidal energy devices within the zone will be dependent on the individual generating capacity of the devices being installed, while the power generated within each berth will be exported to shore via export cables.

To remind, Morlais Demonstration Zone has received funding support in the amount of £4.5 million in September 2017 from the EU and Welsh government.