RYA in continuing discussions about Morlais Tidal Energy Project

The RYA is continuing to raise concerns over plans to construct a tidal energy project under 1km offshore from South Stack on the West Coast of Anglesey. The project, which has the potential to be one of the largest of its kind in Europe, would include a combination of visible power generating devices which would sit above the sea, partially submerged but piercing the surface, and fully submerged ones which would be hidden from view.

The RYA is raising concerns about the safety and outlined restrictions placed on the planned narrow navigation channel between the coast of Anglesey and the proposed site for the tidal energy structures. Although the RYA supports the development of marine renewables to reduce the use of fossil fuel, it says all such installations must take proper account of existing uses and navigational safety for recreational boat users.

“We believe that the safeguarding of maritime users should always take precedence during marine developments such as this,” says Richard Hill, RYA Planning and Environment Officer. “Our concerns are that the plans do not recognise the possible navigational obstructions or marine emergencies that could occur during each of the site’s development stages. Nor do the plans fully evaluate the potential vulnerability inflicted on boaters by reducing open, popular and crucial recreational waters to a narrow, and potentially unsafe, navigational channel.”

The RSPB has also raised grave concerns over the impact of the project. A recent assessment carried out by the charity has found that 60% of guillemots and 97% of razorbills could be lost from the South Stack area as a direct consequence of the development.

“The channel has been identified as a critical stretch of water by our members and clubs, and with support of the legal department of RYA, we can show the importance of maintaining safe and appropriate passage for our recreational boaters,” says Gerwyn Owen, CEO RYA Cymru Wales.

“A number of our clubs across North Wales, not only Anglesey, have inputted into the objections. The local knowledge of our members has enabled us to shape the right response to the applicants to reconsider their proposal. We are very much for a renewable energy project of its type, but not to the detriment of our boating community.”