Anglesey tidal energy project moves forward as environmental plan completes

Natural Resources Wales has completed the Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) for the Marine Characterization Research Project (MCRP), led by Menter Môn.

The EMMP, developed with input from environmental stakeholders and an advisory group, is part of the marine license for the Morlais tidal energy project. It aims to protect marine mammals, seabirds, and migratory fish during tidal device deployment in the Morlais zone. 

According to Menter Môn, baseline data collected by the MCRP will be available via The Crown Estate’s Marine Data Exchange, with continuous analysis informing updates to the EMMP as tidal energy projects expand.

“This is great news for us and is pivotal to the Morlais project here on Anglesey. Through this important work, we have outlined how to safely deploy tidal energy devices alongside effective monitoring and mitigation technology designed to safeguard marine wildlife,” said Helen Roberts, MCRP Project Manager. 

“We know there is still work to do, and we will continue to break new ground in our research methods. Just last week, we saw our AI marine mammal detection system in action, and we look forward to sharing more about our work and findings over the coming months and years.”  

Menter Môn Morlais owns and manages Morlais, including the new landfall substation near Holyhead, and holds the marine license, making it responsible for the project. The first tidal energy devices are set for deployment in 2026. 

Morlais is Menter Môn’s tidal stream energy project that covers 35 square kilometers of seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). According to Menter Môn, Morlais has the potential to generate up to 240 MW of low-carbon electricity.

The project is funded by The Crown Estate and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

In May, business owners from north Wales gathered at an event at the substation to promote services to developers of tidal energy devices.

In August, Menter Môn-led researchers fitted miniature solar-powered trackers on birds off Ynys Môn, Anglesey, to monitor their migration and behavior. This initiative, part of the MCRP, aims to ensure the safe deployment of tidal energy devices in the Morlais scheme.