An independent commission of experts have recommended that the government “act now” to harness the UK’s huge potential for tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary.
The report has prompted backers of the cancelled Swansea Bay tidal lagoon to call for the UK and Welsh Governments to “get on with building” a lagoon in Swansea as well.
Private sector organisation, DST Group released new conceptual images in May 2024 showing elements of a £6.25bn renewable energy scheme in Swansea that’s set to include a tidal lagoon. There has not been any further progress on the lagoon element of the plans since however.
It was the latest in a long line of artist’s impressions released by DST since 2020, which have included a Dubai-style artificial energy island in Swansea Bay.
A tidal lagoon in Swansea was cancelled by the Conservative Government in 2018 citing poor value for money.
The Severn Estuary Commission meanwhile has spent the last year engaging with more than 500 individuals and over 200 local and national organisations to explore if it is now possible to harness the power of the UK’s largest tidal range following the decades of proposals.
The commission has concluded that tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary is “feasible” and could deliver predictable, renewable electricity that will work independent of weather conditions. With UK electricity demand set to more than double by 2050, they have called for urgent investment to make sure this kind of energy can play a part in the future energy system in a way which is sustainable.
The UK’s National Energy System Operator already predicts that tidal energy will need to play a part in any future energy system. The Severn Estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world and could provide the vast majority of the UK’s total tidal energy. However, it also remains of international environmental importance.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, at the Welsh Government, Rebecca Evans MS said: “We want to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technologies, and the Severn Estuary is a source of immense potential energy as one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. I welcome the work of the Severn Estuary Commission and I look forward to working with the UK Government and the Western Gateway to make sure that we can harness its potential whilst also protecting this unique asset.”
Responding to the report, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “We have a ready-made plan to harness the tidal energy of the Severn already and have done so for years.
“It was a huge mistake by the Conservatives to cancel the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and this new Labour Government should rectify that mistake by reviving the project and simply getting on with it.
“Tidal power offers huge advantages to Wales, not only in generating electricity but in its potential to create well-paid jobs. The UK Government seems perfectly happy to spend large amounts on infrastructure in the South East of England, its time they made some investments in Wales.”
In a December session of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Jay Sheppard, Project Manager at Marine Energy Wales said: “Historically, we have seen tidal stream projects delivered with anywhere between 80% and 100% UK content, compared with about 20% for wind. That means that, on average, we will see four to five times the level of socioeconomic benefits per pound spent on tidal compared with wind.”
Swansea Council leader, Cllr Rob Stewart said he remained committed to bringing a tidal lagoon to the city.
Cllr Rob Stewart said: “We welcome this report which underlines why we remain committed to supporting efforts to create a Tidal Lagoon in Swansea Bay.
“Following the cancellation of the original project by the Tory UK Government, we commenced a process to invite the private sector to bring toward proposals for a Swansea lagoon
“Since then, DST have been working with their consortium partners to bring forward a £6.25bn integrated energy project based around a lagoon, which won’t require subsidies from the Uk taxpayer. We have been busy behind the scenes supporting this work
“The new UK Labour Government have included tidal energy in the UK’s future energy mix, and we will continue to engage with Welsh and UK governments to support efforts to bring this scheme forward”
(Lead image: DST)
