Holyhead Deep, Wales

Holyhead Deep – the world’s first low-flow tidal stream project

Holyhead Deep marks the starting point of the industrialisation of Minesto’s unique marine energy technology. It is not only Minesto’s first utility-scale project – but also the first low-velocity tidal energy project in the world. Holyhead Deep has been identified as an optimal location for a utility-scale installation. The area matches all the site requirements by providing low-flow tidal velocities (1.5–2 m/s mean peak flow) at a depth of 80–100 metres. The offshore site is only 8 km from the port and town of Holyhead where Minesto UK head offices are located.

Commercial array expansion plans

Minesto’s long-term plan is to expand the Holyhead Deep site to a commercial tidal energy array with a total installed capacity of up to 80MW. Minesto intends to develop the site in phases as part of a deploy-and-monitor approach. This gradual expansion would see us taking the technology from demonstrator to full industrial roll-out in North Wales.

Since 2020, Minesto’s state-of-the-art Assembly Hall located in Holyhead, Wales has been fully operational, serving as the hub of Minesto’s engineering and operational activities.

An EU-funded project

In May 2015, Minesto was awarded a €13m grant from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), part of the Welsh Government, for the commercial rollout of Minesto’s technology. As part of this contract, Minesto’s U.K. head office was established in Holyhead. In May 2019, the Welsh government announced their continued support for Minesto’s commercial development in Wales following the award of €14.9 million of EU funding through WEFO for the next phase of Minesto’s tidal energy scheme in Wales.

Creating shared value

The vision of the Holyhead Deep project is to contribute to the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, making Wales and the UK a global leader of a sustainable energy future. Once fully installed, a 10 MW array will supply local and clean electricity to the equivalent of more than 8 000 Welsh households. The planned increase of the site to 80 MW installed capacity would increase that figure to almost 70 000 households.

The investment linked to building, commissioning, and operating the first commercial-scale array with Minesto’s tidal kites will also make a significant positive contribution to the creation of new employment opportunities and stimulating long-term growth and investment in Anglesey. The establishment of Minesto U.K. head office in Holyhead has seen several full-time jobs created to date and the Holyhead Deep project is already stimulating businesses through the local supply chain.