Morlais tidal energy scheme draws funding

Funding boost in the amount of £300,000 has been awarded for the advancement of Morlais Tidal Energy Demonstration Zone off Anglesey, Wales.

The funds have been provided by Magnox’s Socio-economic scheme, and delivered by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Daily Post reports.

The West Anglesey Demonstration Zone has been designated by the Crown Estate for the development of up to ten renewable tidal power installations with a total cumulative production capacity of 120 MW.

The area is considered to have one of the best tidal energy properties in the UK and will be managed by Menter Mon through Morlais Marine Energy with the aim to accelerate deployment of tidal energy in the region.

Late in 2015, tidal energy developers have been invited to prepare expressions of interest for deploying their devices in the zone, which would be followed by a full application process in 2016.

The process is expected to see a range of tidal arrays producing up to 30 MW each in the 35 square km zone.