"Tidal power is a predictable and reliable source of renewable energy and our technology can play an important part in helping Wales realise its renewable energy targets as set out in the Welsh Assembly Government energy policy statement," says MCT CEO and founder, Martin Wright.

"It aims to capture 10% of the tidal stream and wave energy off the Welsh coast by 2025, making Wales a UK low carbon economic area for tidal energy."

Consisting of seven twin rotor turbines, the array will occupy 0.56km² of sea bed between the Skerries islands and Carmel Head, about 1km off the Anglesey coast, and will generate enough power for over 10,000 homes on the island, claims MCT.

With only one significant gap for modifications, the 1.2MW grid-connected prototype SeaGen (left) has operated in Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland since 2008.

"It is officially accredited by OFGEM as the UK's first and only tidal current power plant," said MCT which with RWE npower formed SeaGeneration Wales for the project.

MCT said the project will cost approximately £70m to develop and, where possible, local businesses will be contracted for the tidal array assembly, installation, operation and maintenance.

SeaGen has passed the Department of Energy & Climate Change's (DECC's) operating performance criteria for tidal and wave energy technologies, qualifying MCT for access to DECC renewables funding.

MCT expects that funding support for the company's first demonstrator tidal array will be forthcoming from the Government's Low Carbon Innovation Fund or an equivalent government clean-tech funding stream.



MCT has plans for four tidal farms in UK waters by the end of the decade. In December, it announced plans for a energy farm in Kyle Rhea, (above) a strait between Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland, by 2013.

This will harnessing the power of the fast tidal currents that pass through Kyle Rhea 14 hours a day and give a multi-million pound boost to the Highlands & Islands economy as local businesses can expect to participate in the tidal farm’s installation, operation and maintenance.

The project development is subject to securing a lease agreement from The Crown Estate, securing planning approval from Marine Scotland (part of the Scottish Government) and raising the finance for the project, estimated cost of the 5MW Kyle Rhea scheme, consisting of four SeaGen tidal units, will be £35m.

MCT with the support of the environmental consultancy Royal Haskoning (based in Edinburgh) has undertaken a series of environmental and technical studies, consulted a range of local and national organisations, with work to date confirming the suitability of the site.

Subject to further studies being carried out and further consultations, MCT aims to submit a planning application towards this year.