The suspension of Wylfa Newydd has dealt a huge blow to the economic hopes of the region as well as to the energy strategy of the UK Government. This has sparked desperate attempts to rescue the multi-billion pound project but has also thrown into focus the potential schemes that could help fill the gap left in terms of jobs, investment and electricity generation. Renewables is one area where there is room for growth and North Wales is already a leader in on-shore and off-shore wind, and solar power. Now there are hopes the region can exploit the strong tidal currents around the coast with several projects being developed or in the early stages of planning. There are three main tidal schemes in North Wales at various stages of design and development. The most ambitious but also the furthest from turning into a reality is the proposal from North Wales Tidal Energy (NWTE) to create a giant lagoon from Llandudno eastwards towards Point of Ayr – providing vital flood defences alongside the generation of power for 1m homes. Those behind the scheme say its construction – at a cost of around £7bn – could bring 20,000 jobs. Anglesey is further ahead of the game when it comes to tidal, although the projects are at a smaller scale. Minesto has so far invested £15m of private funds and £12m of EU cash into Holyhead Deep – a power-generating underwater kite project – and has commissioned and tested the first 0.5MW commercial-scale device.
Daily Post 23rd Jan 2019 read more »
North Wales Chronicle 24th Jan 2019 read more »
