Harnessing tidal energy
Plans for the world’s largest tidal stream energy site are set to go ahead off the coast of North Wales, generating enough clean energy to power 180,000 households. Collaboration with Bangor Business School has been instrumental in moving the project forward.
The Business School assessed the impact of the scheme on local industry and by establishing a strategy to ensure local economic benefits are maximised, the project run by Anglesey social enterprise, Menter Mon, has secured the support of affected communities and stakeholders.
The £35m Morlais scheme will benefit local communities, the economy, and help tackle climate change - using renewable energy to generate clean, low carbon electricity.
Due to its geography North Wales is ideally placed to become the power hub for innovation and development of environmental technologies. Through projects such as Morlais, we will have the technologies to help the world to achieve its net zero aspiration.
This collaboration brought a real-world case study into the classroom. It enabled discussions on how projects that tackle climate change, can also have a positive economic impact.
By working with key stakeholders such as Bangor University, we aim to develop the skills and training opportunities, enabling local supply chains to develop and diversify to meet the needs of the tidal stream industry. Through the Morlais project we have the opportunity to create an innovation cluster in the nascent tidal stream energy industry ensuring North Wales is at the forefront of long-term industry development