Green energy boss says lagoon could be built for half the price
THE boss of a green energy company claims the controversial Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon could be built for half the price.
The proposed £1.3bn renewable energy project in Swansea Bay would be made up of a six-mile seawall with 16 turbines generating electricity.
Three years ago, supporters of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – which would be built by Tidal Lagoon Power – said it could bring 2,000 construction jobs and would provide enough electricity to power 155,000 homes.
But critics say the lagoon would be too expensive to build because the cost of electricity produced would be higher than that provided by nuclear power plants.
Now a long-awaited decision from the UK Government on its fate has been pushed back again and it is understood an announcement may not be made for up to 10 days or more.
Dale Vince, founder of electricity company Ecotricity, has drawn up different plans and argues tidal lagoons could be built in the UK for half the price of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
Mr Vince, who is behind the plans for two offshore tidal lagoons in the Solway Firth, said his company’s proposals are cheaper because they would use fewer materials while generating the same amount of power.
He also argues future tidal lagoon projects should go through the competitive Contracts for Difference scheme, where different companies bid for the contract, to make sure the government is getting the best deal.
Mr Vince, 54, said: “An offshore tidal lagoon will cost half the price compared to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon because it would use less materials.
“Connected lagoons (like the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project) connects to the shore and the public can walk over it.
“But if you have an unconnected lagoon, the walls are thinner so not as much rock is needed so it’s cheaper to build.”
Mr Vince has drawn up plans for lagoons in England and Wales.
He said his idea could also be applied to Swansea but that it would need to be built away from the shore.
“They could be built in about three or four years and would cost half the price, so £80m,” he said. “It’s that simple.”
Earlier this month, the Welsh Government offered to invest £200m in a bid to save the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said he wanted the UK and Welsh governments to join forces to make a full and final offer to Tidal Lagoon Power but the UK Government has concerns about the cost of the current plans.
The UK Government said it would not comment on when a decision will be made.