Tidal-energy farm off Anglesey to go ahead

A commercial tidal-energy farm planned for off the coast of Anglesey has won approval from the Welsh Assembly government.

As a result, the £70 million Skerries Tidal Stream Array will receive £10 million from Westminster. The project will see five tidal generators located in up to 130ft of water about half a mile from Holyhead. Developer Siemens says the scheme will generate enough power for 10,000 homes.

Plans for the energy scheme were first put forward four years ago by Marine Current Turbines (MCT) and the power company RWE nPower. German-owned Siemens bought out MCT last year.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This demonstrates the significant benefits of choosing Wales for marine-energy investment, with our unique tidal resources, good port facilities and proximity to the National Grid.” Siemens said it hopes to have the scheme up and running by the end of 2015.