Tidal energy plans off Anglesey

A tidal farm uses water currents and tides to generate energy Enlarge Image

A marine energy company is to investigate building a tidal energy farm off the Anglesey coast.

The underwater turbines, which generate energy from currents and tides, could power up to 6,500 homes on the island, Marine Current Turbines (MCT) said.

The company has been given a £700,000 grant under EU Objective One funding to carry out the research.

Friends of the Earth Cymru said they were supportive of this type of project if they were "appropriately sited".

MCT installed a tidal stream device off the north Devon coast three years ago.

The grant for this project has come from the assembly government's Objective One funding programme.

The initial investigations are expected to be completed by October, when an assessment of the environmental impact will be carried out.

We do think it's very exciting technology and could have a lot of benefits for Wales when appropriately sited Julian Rosser Friends of the Earth

The Bristol-based company said one tidal farm could provide between 10 to 15% of Anglesey's energy needs.

MCT managing director Martin Wright said the strong currents off Anglesey offered on of the UK's best resources of "clean and predictable" energy.

Mr Wright added: "Our investigations and consultations with local and national interests over the coming months will help us to fully understand the potential environmental impact of a tidal array and the other issues associated with their possible development.

A tidal stream device is already operating off the Devon coast

"We value the marine environment, so our investigation and analysis work is a vital piece of work."

If the tidal farm is approved and receives funding, it could be operational in three years' time.

Julian Rosser, from Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: "We are very supportive of marine technology. It does seem to have an enormous potential for generating renewable energy around the coast of Wales, as well as creating a lot of jobs.

"We do think it's very exciting technology and could have a lot of benefits for Wales when appropriately sited."

'Innovative' project

Mr Rosser said there was the potential for damage when building in any sensitive marine area, but added the tidal farm were usually sited in rocky areas, which reduced the environmental impact.

Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies said there was potential for a "range of projects" of the Anglesey coast was "extremely promising".

"The pursuit of renewable energy production is a priority and through the Objective One programme we have supported the studies carried out so far by MCT," he said.

"[We] look forward to working closely with them in the future to consider an innovative commercial project in Welsh waters."