DECC grants planning consent to Swansea Bay tidal lagoon

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced on Tuesday it has given planning consent to the 320-MW Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project in Wales.

The GBP-1-billion (USD 1.54bn/EUR 1.36bn) project, however, still needs DECC’s blessing for a Contract for Difference (CfD). The British government department stressed that the process for development consent is completely separate from the one regarding CfD negotiations.

The developer, Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd, noted this too in a separate statement, but also said that "the vision is now closer to reality than ever before". It added that the delivery team is ready to start work in Swansea Bay next spring.

The scheme envisages building a six-mile (9.66 km) horseshoe shaped sea wall, with turbines generating some 500 GWh of electricity per year.

Last week, the developer picked China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) as preferred bidder for a GBP-300-million marine works contract tied to the tidal lagoon project.

“Low carbon energy projects like the tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay could bring investment, support local jobs and help contribute to the Welsh economy and Swansea area,” said Energy and Climate Change and Wales Office Minister Lord Bourne.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.542/EUR 1.362)

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