FIRMS SHOW INTEREST IN ‘LAGOON 2’
11 COMPANIES KEEN TO EXPLORE TIDAL PROJECT
ELEVEN companies and organisations have expressed an interest in delivering a tidal lagoon for Swansea Bay.
It follows a prior invitation notice which invited firms and institutions to express their interest in the stalled project.
The deadline has now closed, and a task group set up by the Swansea Bay City Region said a number of leading companies had said they wanted to be involved.
Some have indicated they would deliver the entire project, which has an estimated £1.3 billion price tag, but with a different development and deal to the previous proposal.
Other companies have said they want to be involved in delivering part of the project.
Councillor Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council and chairman of the task group, said: “The response from companies has been encouraging and we have high levels of interest from very credible companies.
“They clearly share our belief that the lagoon is a viable project that can be delivered by the private sector.”
The responses will now be assessed in detail by the task group, which began its work after the UK Government said in June this year that it would not support the lagoon scheme developed by Tidal Lagoon Power.
It’s not clear at present what role, if any, Tidal Lagoon Power might have going forward with the Swansea project.
Mr Stewart added: “We are exploring whether the lagoon can be delivered through a private sectorled development that doesn’t rely on Government or local government subsidy to pay for it.
“We wanted to get different views and ideas from major companies, not simply a new way of delivering the previous proposal.
“While we cannot disclose the details at this stage, we can confirm some of the responses have been very exciting, proposing radically different elements to developments.
“There is a good mix of potential partners, with some stating they can deliver the entire project, while others want to get on board and have a role in delivering as part of a wider collaboration.
“We now need to take the necessary time to assess and analyse these responses in more detail before deciding how we move forward. But for now I’m delighted with the response, and it’s very encouraging for the future of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.”
The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon has planning consent, but would need a marine licence from Natural Resources Wales.
Supporters of the project say it would provide many construction jobs, leisure and tourist opportunities, and potentially kick-start a new tidal lagoon industry.
Detractors have said they are worried about its possible impact on marine life and the cost to the consumer.
A council spokesman said it was inappropriate to name any of the 11 organisations which had expressed an interest.
Asked about funding models, he said: “Potential funding structures for any proposal would be discussed later in the process.”
There is a good mix of potential partners, some stating they can deliver the entire project . . . others want to get on board and a role as part of a wider collaboration
- Councillor Rob Stewart