THE final report of the UK government’s Hendry Review into the viability of tidal lagoons has concluded in favour of the pioneering industry with the first proposed lagoon to be in Swansea. The Hendry Review was commissioned last year to look into whether lagoons offer ‘value for money’.
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has been a keen supporter of Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon from its earliest stages and was at the press launch of the Hendry report today (January 12). Last month he brought together MPs from all parties and led a debate in Parliament on the economic potential of tidal power.
With the oil and gas industries changing, Mr Crabb has long believed that the engineering industry in Pembrokeshire needs to be looking at new opportunities.
Mr Crabb said: “I’m delighted that the review has come out so favourably for tidal power. Both in and out of Government, I have made the case for investing in this potentially huge new industrial opportunity.”
“As Hendry makes clear, this industry could support up to 22,000 new engineering and construction jobs in Wales, providing a real boost to the economy, all at a yearly cost to UK households of just the price of a pint of milk.”
“Here in Pembrokeshire we have outstanding companies with the skills and experience to help build this new UK energy industry. There is no good reason why we should not be in the frame to benefit from the investment.”
The company behind the Swansea Bay proposal, Tidal Lagoon Power, say that Swansea would act as a pilot project for five much larger schemes in Cardiff, Colwyn Bay, Newport, Somerset and Cumbria.
The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon alone could supply predictable, clean electricity for 155,000 homes for 120 years.
Mr Crabb added: “I now urge the Government to act on Hendry’s recommendations and seize the opportunity given to us. Ministers need to make a swift decision and capture this huge economic opportunity that is in front of us.”