Work starts on pioneering renewable energy project

Work starts on pioneering renewable energy project

The concrete base for an innovative undersea renewable energy project off the coast of North Wales has been prepared for installation.

The structure, which is part of a €30m (£25m) underwater kite project off Anglesey, was constructed by Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK.

Made up of 15 hollow sections, it has now been floated in a dry dock at Birkenhead prior to being towed along the North Wales coast to Holyhead.

The project, Deep Green, will harness tidal power and it's hoped it will eventually supply enough power for 70,000 homes. 

The concrete structure has been constructed for a pilot, which will see one 0.5MW generator installed and operated to demonstrate the technology, developed by renewables company Minesto.

The project manager for Jones Bros, Eryl Evans, said: "This has been a complex structure with a number of challenges to overcome. We have had to work with very tight tolerances to ensure a balance between buoyancy and weight; for the floatation and delivery of the structure, and its ability to sit on the sea bed.

"Once the structure has been manoeuvred to its location at Holyhead Deep, it will be filled with water to act as ballast to lower it to the sea bed, at which point the Minesto device will be tethered to the structure."

Martin Edlund, chief executive of Minesto, said: "The delivery of the gravity base structure marks a milestone for Minesto’s operations in Wales and the upcoming offshore installation in Holyhead Deep.

"Marine energy has tremendous potential for growth and secure, affordable clean energy supply in Wales and the UK. We look forward to continuing building this industry together with partners and suppliers."

The structure required 450 cubic metres of concrete and 180 tonnes of reinforced steel. Once positioned on the sea bed, it will weigh 1,300 tonnes.

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