An independent review of the scheme to generate tidal energy from an artificial lagoon constructed off the Welsh coast near Swansea, led by former energy minister Charles Hendry, has reported to the UK parliament. It is broadly supportive of the scheme.
When ministers in 2016 year ordered a review to see if the technology could provide affordable green energy to the UK, it was widely seen as a way to kill off an ambitious project proposed by Tidal Lagoon Power.
But if that was the intention, it has backfired. The review, which was commissioned by the UK government itself, has turned out to be generally in favour of the £1.3bn prototype plan and has recommended that it be supported.
Mr Hendry has visited communities which would potentially be involved in or affected by the lagoons, which he said had attracted “high expectations”, and in a key passage in his report stated that tidal lagoon technology can deliver a secure supply of energy for a price that’s competitive in the long term. He added that tidal power is a completely predictable source of energy.
The scheme is seen as a trial for potentially five major plants around the country, at Cardiff, Newport, Colwyn Bay in north Wales, the Cumbrian coast and Bridgwater Bay in Somerset. Together they could provide about a tenth of the UK’s electricity needs and help meet carbon targets.
The review is significant for Tidal Lagoon Power, which secured planning consent in 2015 to build the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant and has so far spent £35m on the project, which would see a six mile U-shaped sea wall built out into the bay to bring the incoming and outgoing tide through 16 turbines, generating around 320 MWe.
Greenpeace UK's chief scientist, Dr Doug Parr, commented: “Tidal lagoon energy is the most reliable source of renewable energy for the UK and the Swansea Bay project is an opportunity to lead in generating clean power from Britain's tides. Up to now, cost has been considered a barrier but the Hendry report suggests that tidal lagoons can potentially play a cost-effective role in the UK energy mix. And the government should get on with it because it could be the first of a wave of tidal lagoons across the UK, and even internationally. If Swansea is successful it could prove the investment case for further major projects that could potentially generate a significant chunk of the UK's electricity needs, and help towards meeting the UK’s carbon targets.”
Dr Simon Harrison, chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Energy Panel, said: “This is a pathfinder project which, when applied at greater scale in other locations, promises ... cost competitive ... renewable energy, and a potentially exportable technology. While, there are no major underlying concerns over technical viability there are many issues to explore ... and the learning from this project will be essential in shaping future developments and in determining their viability.”
Linkedin
