An engineering, procurement and consultancy firm is to assess the feasibility of a planned marine energy test site in Wales.

Black and Veatch has been appointed by test site operator Wave Hub to conduct a study into its proposed Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone offshore site.

The facility aims to allow for the testing of multiple wave energy arrays of up to 30MW each and will be built on a seabed lease secured from the Crown Estate.

The study will prepare an outline for how its grid infrastructure will be designed, start the consent process by conducting an environmental impact assessment and work out how commercially viable the site is.

It will also include a study into how the project would benefit the local supply chain and economy.

Wave Hub’s Managing Director, Claire Gibson, said: “We very much look forward to working with Black & Veatch to help us understand how technically feasible and commercially viable the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone is.

“Throughout the study we will be engaging with industry and local stakeholders to ensure our plans are fit for purpose and take into account any local concerns.”

This study is being supported by funding from the Welsh Government and is expected to be completed by the end of January 2018.

Tidal lagoons with large volumes of water could make electricity cheaper than nuclear power and offshore wind.