Marine Energy Wales welcomes the first Welsh winning project to secure a contract as part of the UK Government’s contracts for difference (CfDs) Allocation Round 4 (AR4) process.
In the largest renewables award ever, totalling 11 GW across all technologies, for the first time both tidal stream and floating offshore wind (FLOW) have been awarded contracts, representing the very beginning of the build out of both these technologies.
Spanish tidal stream developer, Magallanes Renovables, will now be deploying 5.62 MW to the Morlais tidal stream project off Anglesey, producing their first power to grid in 2025.
Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, a director with Morlais, said:
“This is a major step forward and will be the first commercial deployment of tidal stream technology in Wales. It puts our scheme here on Anglesey on a firm footing as we move into the next phase of construction. This is also good news for the sector – it gives developers like Magallanes a guaranteed revenue stream and certainty about the future of tidal energy.”
The Celtic Sea is also home to the first ever floating offshore award, going to Hexicon’s innovative TwinHub design. The 32MW project built between 2025 and 2027 will become the first FLOW development of many predicted in the Celtic Sea region.
Marcus Thor, CEO at Hexicon, said:
“With this decision, our TwinHub project will be the first floating offshore wind project in England and Wales to achieve this milestone and we can now progress to the delivery phase and continue engagement with the local communities, stakeholders and regulators, with the support of Celtic Sea Power.”
Marine Energy Wales Project Manager, Jay Sheppard, said:
“Today’s announcement is exciting news for the UK’s offshore renewable energy sector as a whole, and a significant step forward for tidal stream and floating offshore wind specifically.
Wales has a history of attracting international marine energy developers and we are enormously proud that Magallanes Renovables will be the very first tidal stream developer to deploy at the Morlais site in Anglesey. We look forward to welcoming them to Wales and further supporting the development of their project.
Orbital Marine Power, although not yet deploying in Wales, have won two contracts for their O2 turbines in Orkney. For a company whose anchors are built by Faun Trackway in Llangefni, this is great news for the Welsh supply chain. Finally, congratulations to another of our members, Hexicon, who’s TwinHub project looks set to become the first floating offshore wind project to deploy to the Celtic Sea. If this government support continues into future allocation rounds then this is just the beginning for marine renewables, we look forward to a growing pipeline of delivery in the years to come!”
Stay informed by following us on social:
Subscribe to our Newsletters | Marine Energy Wales to keep up to date with all the latest industry news, innovations and job opportunities.
Notes to Editors:
Marine Energy Wales brings together technology developers, the supply chain, academia and the public sector to establish Wales as a global leader in sustainable marine energy generation, making a significant contribution to a low carbon economy.
The benefits of this industry are being felt throughout the country with the creation of green sustainable jobs, growth and skills providing significant development opportunities for Wales.
Marine Energy Wales is an initiative developed and managed by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, a Community Interest Company that works to protect and enhance the coastal and marine environment for current and future generations.
For more information visit: www.marineenergywales.co.uk
Contact
For more information and media requests contact:
Abi Beck, Communications Manager.
Email – abi.beck@marineenergywales.co.uk
Phone – 07748735181