AMs keen to meet energy minister to secure tidal scheme

LEADING AMs are seeking a meeting with Energy Secretary Greg Clark in an effort to help seal the deal on the Swansea Bay Tidal lagoon.

More than 40 Assembly Members from across the party divides have come together to make a united push for the UK Government to greenlight the renewable energy project which would win the attention of the world.

The drive to ensure the project becomes reality is led by committee chairs Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour), Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru), Russell George (Conservative) and Mark Reckless (Ukip).

The four AMs – who respectively represent the committees for constitutional and legislative affairs; finance; economy, infrastructure and skills; and climate change, environment and rural affairs – argue the potential benefits “run far deeper than one might ordinarily expect of a single energy project” and hope to secure a meeting with the Energy Secretary.

Mr Irranca-Davies said they wanted to show the extent of support for the project and describe why this is a “great project not only for Wales but for UK PLC as well”.

He wants the UK Government to deliver its “full and rapid” backing, arguing the lagoon would establish the country as a leader in tidal energy. The Ogmore AM said: “We are convinced that the financial and economic – as well as the renewable energy case – for this project stack up.”

A major boost for the project came in January when the independent Hendry Review concluded it would make a “strong contribution” to the UK’s energy supply.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “We hope the UK Treasury and Greg Clark himself are now convinced that this is as Charles Hendry said a “no regrets” policy for Government. Or as I have repeatedly said, a no-brainer.”