Anglesey Enterprise Zone Shifts Boundaries

The boundaries of Anglesey Enterprise Zone are to be extended to maximise economic benefits for the region and will include a new marine renewable energy zone and the Menai Science Park site.

The new sites include the West Anglesey Demonstration Zone, a 37 square kilometre of seabed off the west coast of Anglesey, and Cefn Du, the 21 hectare site in Gaerwen earmarked for the Menai Science Park (M-SParc).

The West Anglesey Demonstration Zone has already been designated by the Crown Estate for the development of up to ten renewable tidal power installations with a total cumulative production capacity of 120MW.

The area is considered to have one of the best tidal energy properties in the UK and will be managed by Menter Mon through the Morlais project. This aims to accelerate deployment of tidal energy in the zone and make it one of the most attractive destinations for tidal turbine array development and marine renewable energy production in Europe.

The Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “The extension of the Enterprise Zone boundaries also supports the Energy Island programme and the drive to ensure Anglesey is at the forefront of the latest renewable energy developments and research.”

M-SParc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangor University is to be developed on Cefn Du where the initial focus will be on innovative science based R&D projects with an emphasis on energy, environmental services and clean technology.

M-SParc is working with the Energy Island team to attract anchor tenants in low carbon energy sector with the aim of securing a sustainable economic legacy from major energy investments currently in the pipeline.