Tidal energy developer Minesto has received marine license for a 0.5 MW installation of its Deep Green technology in Holyhead Deep, in Holyhead Deep off the coast of Anglesey.
The Swedish firm has developed a technology, which sees a turbine tethered to the seafloor but able to move around, like a kite.
Minesto initially plans to install its first 0.5 MW commercial-scale demonstrator this year – backed with EU funds through the Welsh Government. It will include a single Deep Green device, seabed foundation and a buoy moored at surface.
The firm would then develop the Holyhead Deep site in three phases as part of a deploy-and-monitor approach. Minesto says this gradual expansion would see Minesto taking the Deep Green technology from demonstrator to full industrial roll-out.
Earlier this year, Minesto submitted a scoping report to UK consenting authorities Marine Management Organization (MMO) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), asking for their scoping opinion for an 80MW development.
A marine license is required for all kind of offshore construction work and deposits in UK waters. Minesto’s CEO Dr Martin Edlund said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded consent for our first installation in Holyhead Deep. It’s a great achievement by everyone involved in the application process, and yet another deliverable met as we move towards commercialization of our Deep Green power plant.”
Leading up to the approved application an in-depth Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out. The EIA considered the potential impacts acts on fisheries, marine mammals, sea birds, marine archaeology and cultural heritage as well as shipping and navigation, which were concluded to be "not significant".