A ‘game changer’ for tidal energy? UK’s Morlais project releases environmental survey data

In a move meant to support the growth of the UK’s tidal energy industry, North Wales tidal project Morlais has partnered with the Crown Estate to provide access to environmental survey data gathered off the coast of Ynys Môn, Anglesey.

Morlais is a grid-connected tidal stream energy project in the Irish Sea, just off the west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales. It is the largest consented tidal energy development in Europe, with a capacity to generate up to 240MW of clean, low-carbon electricity. The first turbines are expected to be deployed at sea in 2026.

Collected during the first phase of the Morlais-led Marine Characterisation Research Project (MCRP), the data will be hosted on the Marine Data Exchange (MDE), a collection of marine industry survey data. Developed in 2013 by The Crown Estate, the MDE is intended to support sustainable development of the seabed whilst protecting the UK’s marine environment.

MCRP brings over 40 terabytes of data together from multiple sources, making it publicly available for researchers, policymakers, and developers with a view to advancing renewable and tidal energy.

The outputs include a range of work packages, covering bird and marine mammal monitoring. By consolidating marine information on the MDE, the aim is to encourage wider collaboration and innovation across the sector, supporting both UK and global efforts to develop sustainable marine energy.

“This is a game-changer for tidal energy, and we are delighted to play such a key role. Access to well-organized data is essential for project developers and researchers,” said Helen Roberts, MCRP project manager. “With the Marine Data Exchange, reliable data and information will be available which will increase understanding of marine environments and improve planning and development processes. Our hope is that this will help drive the sector’s growth while keeping sustainability at the forefront.”

“The UK has significant tidal stream energy resources and harnessing the predictable nature of the tides could help support our net zero targets,” said Mike Dobson, New Energies Portfolio Manager at The Crown Estate. “Collecting and publishing data is vital in increasing understanding of this nascent technology and any impact it has on the natural environment, not only for the future potential of Morlais but the sector more broadly.”

The Morlais tidal energy project and MCRP work closely, both within the energy portfolio of Menter Môn, a social enterprise based on Anglesey. Protecting marine wildlife and local habitats has been a priority in the development of Morlais, and information gathered through MCRP plays a “leading role” in this effort. Information gathered from the MCRP will form a case study in an upcoming report from The Crown Estate reviewing current tidal stream marine monitoring data.

In September 2024, HydroWing was awarded the largest tidal energy project in the UK in the government’s Contracts for Difference allocation round. This doubled the size of the HydroWing project at Morlais in Wales to 20 MW, building on the 10 MW awarded in the previous round. Morlais is Menter Môn’s tidal stream energy project. It manages an area of 35Km² of the seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). The scheme has the potential to generate up to 240 MW of low-carbon clean electricity, Morlais said.

HydroWing is designed to be a cost-effective and scalable solution to tidal stream energy generation. A supporting structure sits on the seabed, under its own weight. The “wings” that hold the turbines are then lowered into position on this structure. The turbines are bi-directional, so they generate power as the tide comes in and as it goes out.

The project has been funded to date by the European Regional Development funded through the Welsh Government. The Isle of Anglesey County Council, North Wales Growth Deal, as well as The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, have also supported the project.

wind turbines in front of an orange sunset

Renewables permitting has been ‘paralyzed’ by Trump – This Week in Cleantech

This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.

Redefining microgrids: A vision for dynamic grid control

Erik Amundson, vice president of microgrid engineering and chief technology officer at OATI, provided insights into the evolving role of microgrids during the OATI Energy…