Plans for £6 billion Cardiff tidal energy lagoon released

• 9 years ago (2015-03-04)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1061

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Plans for a £6 billion, 14-mile seawall off the coast of Cardiff have been released today, as part of government-backed plans for tidal power schemes across the UK.

Tidal Lagoon Power, a green energy company, began the official planning process for the Cardiff project, which could stretch from Cardiff to Newport. Proposals mirror other large-scale project-proposals in Newport, West Cumbria, Colwyn Bay and Bridgwater Bay as well as a small pilot scheme in Swansea Bay.

The energy secretary, Ed Davey, told the BBC he was “very excited by the prospect of tidal power”. Chief Executive of Tidal Lagoon Power, Mark Shorrock, said: “We have the best tidal resource in Europe and the second best worldwide. We now have a sustainable way to make the most of this natural advantage.”

However, Citizens Advice has warned that the plans are “appalling value for money” and has urged the Government not to “squander” tax-payers money on the project. While the developer admits that initial costs will be high, after the requested 35 years of subsidies, electricity should be very cheap.

The lagoons would generate power for around 14 hours a day, which would give an annual output that would be the equivalent to all the homes in Wales, the company said.

Tidal Lagoon Power began on Monday the formal stages of the planning application, which, if accepted, could see power generation in 2017.