Morlais, off the coast of Ynys Môn, is Europe’s largest consented Tidal Stream Energy development. Once constructed, it will generate clean low carbon electricity– managed by social enterprise Menter Môn Morlais Ltd (MMML).
As a renewable energy project, it has always been about climate action – reducing carbon and securing local benefits.
Once the Crown Estate lease for 35km2 of seabed was granted in 2014, work began to secure funding and consent. It will have a generating capacity of 240MW, enough clean electricity for around 180,000 typical households.
North Wales-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering secured the main contract to build onshore infrastructure, including landfall substation and cabling. Construction completed in December 2023, and the first tidal devices are expected to be deployed in 2026.
Construction of the substation was delivered on time and to the original allocated budget. The work was in an ecologically sensitive area requiring specialist input from NRW and RSPB. South Stack is one of the very few chough breeding sites in the UK – construction was undertaken to ensure work did not impact their breeding patterns and habitats.
Three Winning Facts:
- Morlais is all about taking climate action – as a renewable energy scheme it will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Focusing on local employment and supply chain during this build not only gave the local economy a boost but also reduced the environmental impact.
- Of the 70 employees who worked on site, 86% were from north Wales.
