Thursday 26 August 2010

Plans for a £70m commercial tidal energy project off the coast of Anglesey have been unveiled.

Plans for a £70m commercial tidal energy project off the coast of Anglesey
have been unveiled.

Marine Current Turbines, and its project partner RWE npower renewables, held
an exhibition at Holyhead Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday, about its scheme
to harness the power of the tidal waters off the north-west coast of
Anglesey.

The marine power project is the third strand of the Energy Island concept
which includes plans for a new nuclear power station at Wylfa and
applications for biomass power plants in Holyhead and Llangefni.

A planning application for the off-shore scheme is being submitted to the
Welsh Assembly Government in September.

article_mpuAdvertisement The proposal, which has benefited from funding from the Welsh European
Funding Office, will consist of up to nine turbines located between the
Skerries group of rocks and islands and Carmel Head, about 1km off the
Anglesey coast.

The 10MW tidal farm, named Skerries Tidal Stream Array, will include proven
and award-winning tidal energy technology known as SeaGen,which is
essentially an underwater windmill.

It will generate enough power to supply electricity to up to 10,000 homes -
approximately 20% of Anglesey's electricity demand.

Work could start in 2013/2014, subject to the project securing planning and
finance.

Paul Taylor, of Taylor Keough which was running the exhibition on behalf of
MCT, said: "It's gone well. In the first couple of hours we had 60 to 70
people attend.

"There was a great interest. People were very curious about the technology
involved, our plans and how it would benefit Anglesey.

"Most have been supportive and several had questions that they wanted to
ask. "

Albert Owen MP said: "I've been to the exhibition, there were many people
there when I went.

"We have to embrace efficient renewable sources of energy, and tidal energy
will compliment the nuclear aspect and is part of the Energy Island concept.

"There is a potential for manufacturing and maintaining the turbines, here
on Anglesey.

"Looking at the bigger picture, with Wylfa's life being extended and Wylfa B
not too far down the line, we can link with colleges and create the skill
base here for low carbon jobs, making Anglesey a centre of energy excellence
that can benefit our long term future.

"Tidal power makes sense. From what I understand there a potential of
electricity being generated for 18 out of every 24 hours."

Anglesey Assembly Member Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "I welcome the fact that
local people have been given the opportunity to learn more about the plans
for the proposed tidal power scheme off the coast of Anglesey. "It is important that we look at clean, green ways of producing energy and
Anglesey is in a strong position to attract these types of technology and
jobs to the island and it is important that local companies can also benefit
from these opportunities."
elgan.hearn

http://www.theonlinemail.co.uk/bangor-and-anglesey-news/local-bangor-and-ang
lesey-news/2010/08/26/plans-for-70m-tidal-energy-project-off-anglesey-66580-
27141809/

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