A few weeks ago an independent review into the viability of tidal lagoon technology was published. The Hendry Review has provided strong support in backing not only Tidal Lagoon Power’s £1.3 billion project in Swansea Bay, but also the wider wave and tidal stream sector. A fleet of five other lagoons around the coast of Wales, including Colwyn Bay, are envisaged, generating enough power for 30% of the UK's homes.
The review stated that tidal lagoon technology would make a strong contribution to the UK's energy supply as well as bringing significant economic opportunities.
The findings and recommendations of the Hendry review are very welcome. I have long championed tidal energy, which holds great promise to be the most reliable and resilient source of green energy available, and feasibility studies have revealed that Colwyn Bay has got a fantastic tidal range, making it ideal for a tidal lagoon development.
Indeed, tidal lagoon technology offers exciting prospects for the whole Welsh economy in terms of jobs, manufacturing and research and development, however I am particularly excited about the benefits the Colwyn Bay project, which could stretch from Rhos on Sea to Prestatyn, would deliver to the North Wales coast.
This will be a huge infrastructure that will provide a huge opportunity for local companies and create many jobs in the area, not only during the construction stage but also for the ongoing maintenance.
With developers exploring the potential of Colwyn Bay Tidal Lagoon as a recreational facility, it could also provide a massive boost to tourism and leisure along our coastline. Within the proposed tidal lagoon there will be opportunities for the development of leisure activities including yachting, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming, which will undoubtedly attract more visitors to the area.
A further benefit would be its potential to act as a flood defence. The North Wales coast has been greatly affected by flooding with the December/January storms of 2013/14 causing significant damage to coastal defences, and in storms earlier this month Old Colwyn promenade suffered further damage. A lagoon along our coastline could protect some of our communities that are often worst hit by flooding.
Tidal lagoons are an extremely attractive form of renewable energy and unlike windfarms they generate energy that is completely predictable.
I look forward to seeing the development of the pioneering Swansea Lagoon, which the Hendry Review has recommended should be built as soon as possible, and consequently the Colwyn Bay project which will follow in the future.
While some people may be against the visual aspect of a tidal lagoon off our beautiful coastline, it is important to bear in mind that doing nothing off the coast would cost millions in flood defence bills, would lead to a drop in coastal property prices and the loss of inward investment.
These are exciting times for Wales and we must embrace them: in the 19th century we led the way as an energy economy based on coal, now we have the prospect of leading the world in the generation of non-carbon, renewable energy.