The developer Tidal Lagoon Power has announced details of the plans for the construction of a huge tidal barrage between Cardiff and Newport, which is part of a scheme that could generate around 8% of the UK's power usage.


The tidal scheme which it’s estimated will cost around £760m to construct is now said to be in the advanced stages of having its finances agreed. The developers and backers of this scheme believe that a larger Cardiff Bay project will help the UK become one of the world’s leading centres of tidal power technology.


The tidal power development firm has confirmed that they’re undertaking early feasibility and engagement research in four other locations around the UK including Newport, West Cumbria, Colwyn Bay and Bridgewater Bay.


It’s estimated that if the 6 proposed tidal lagoons are constructed wave power could meet 8% of the electricity demands of the UK for 120 years.


The Tidal Lagoon Cardiff plan will feature a 22km breakwater which will house around 90 turbines set within its walls.


The company has submitted further Environmental Impact Assessments to the Planning Inspectorates for a second tidal lagoon capable of generating between 18.GW and 2.8GW of energy in a development which would enclose an area of around 70 Sq km where the tidal range is about 9.21m.


The western end of the barrage would touch land around 2km from the entrance to Cardiff Bay whilst the eastern end of the barrage will touch land 2km from the mouth of the River Usk.


It’s anticipated that the lagoon which will create electricity 14 hours a day will have a working life of around 120 years could come on stream as early as 2022/2023.


The full planning permission for the construction of the lagoon is expected to be submitted in 2017 with a decision expected no later than 2018.


Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of the Institute of Directors in Wales: “Today’s announcement for Cardiff proves that the Swansea Bay project really does have the potential to kick start a whole new industry here in Wales and what’s more it can be delivered quickly.


“It is great to see that after so much talk about how we can harness the power of the Severn, we now have some very real plans to work with.”


Mark Shorrock, chief executive of Tidal Lagoon Power: “We will build on the template established for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – applying the expertise and learning, scaling the UK supply chain and Turbine Assembly Plant and leveraging the institutional investor partnerships we have developed.


“There is still a long way to go and many environmental surveys to undertake but we will work in partnership with all nature conservation bodies so as to understand, avoid, minimise and mitigate any environmental impacts.”

 

There will be huge benefits of this development and the other 5 proposed tidal lagoons for the UK, not least for the construction industry which will naturally see an increase in the number of construction jobs and the demand for construction supplies and construction materials, but this will also make us a global leader in an emerging technology.

 

It's important that we are bold in creating new and innovative projects, it will need courage, confidence and leadership to get these kinds of developments through the systems however as an island nation the UK will certainly benefit hugely from these sorts of schemes, setting us at an advantage over many of the world's countries.