Maybe tidal lagoon delay is no bad thing
IN response to Chris Kelsey’s article ‘Tidal Lagoon Project entangled in fishing dispute with anglers’ (Western Mail, March 21).
The proposed Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project is unlikely to have any significant effect on the local fish and marine life. Maybe Fish Legal, who represent the local anglers, and National Resources Wales should consider putting all their efforts into reducing the worldwide plastic pollution, farming pollution, and industrial and chemical pollution in the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. These sources of pollution could result in a catastrophic, worldwide loss of fish and marine life. The remaining fish stocks could become inedible across the food chain. Fishermen (including anglers), are among these polluters, by indiscriminately discarding their plastic nets and fishing lines.
Maybe the delay in proceeding with the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project is not such a bad thing. Perhaps there needs to be a review and revision of the projects.
There will be major advances in technology and engineering over next few decades; such as the development of more efficient and effective electricity storage batteries; more efficient and effective electrical generating units (able to generate more electricity from tidal power); cheaper, and quicker-to-manufacture turbines – the use of 3D computer printing; and new, stronger material.
Recent oceanic surveys seem to indicate that sea levels are rising faster than expected. If this is so, then clearly there should be some review and revision of the dimensions and shape of the lagoon design.
For example, any significant rise in sea level would mean that the height of the lagoon would need to be raised and made stronger, at greater cost.
Alternatively, the lagoon could be made smaller – by constructing the lagoon closer to the shore (at less cost). Reducing the size of the lagoon would mean that tidal flows – particularly at high tides and storm surges – would not result in massive flooding along the Severn estuary and beyond. The loss of tidal lagoon capability could be compensated for by using additional turbines (in the initial construction) and then replacing with more powerful turbines – developed from new technology – at some future date.
The Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project (et al) is not just for the benefit of Wales. While these projects would provide jobs in Wales (during their construction), the final objective is to provide sustainable and eventually cheap electricity for the whole of the UK.
The electricity generated by the tidal lagoon would be transmitted to Welsh coastal regions – in the first instance. However, this means that the Welsh regions would not be using as much electricity (via the National Grid) from the rest of the UK.
Brian Hayes Bassaleg, Newport