Plans for a massive tidal energy project off the Welsh coast could have a devastating impact on seabird populations, RSPB Cymru has warned. The charity says it has “grave concerns” about a planning application for the Morlais scheme off Anglesey. It claims an assessment by the scheme’s backers shows 60% of guillemots and 97% of razorbills could be lost from cliffs at South Stack, near Holyhead. But developers Menter Môn said that was a “worse case scenario” only. The not-for-profit social enterprise said there was no evidence worldwide suggesting wildlife would be damaged by such tidal flow energy schemes. The Morlais project would see a development on 35 sq km (13 sq miles) of seabed, generating up to 240MW of electricity from the power of the tides in the Irish Sea. It would make it one of the largest tidal stream energy sites in the world.
BBC 11th Aug 2020 read more »