A North Wales tidal lagoon would create over 20,000 jobs and generate more than £11 billion for the regional economy as well as pumping 2.5 gigawatts of electricity into the National Grid every year.
Those are the conclusions of a specially commissioned report from Glyndwr University into the potential economic impact of a scheme on the coast from Llandudno eastwards to Talacre.
It is estimated the lagoon could be built and begin generating power within 10 years – providing electricity to power over a million homes as well as safeguarding homes, businesses and infrastructure along the North Wales coast from flooding.
The report was commissioned by North Wales Tidal Energy (NWTE), the group leading the project, to carry out a study into the feasibility and the economic benefits of the £7 billion tidal lagoon scheme.
NWTE Chairman Henry Dixon said:
“The tide rises twice a day and is completely reliable. The proposed tidal lagoon will generate power for at least 100 years and will be future-proofed to ensure that it continues to provide coastal protection and efficient renewable energy generation throughout its long life.
“We have had widespread political support from local MPs and AMs of all parties and it really does seem to be a ‘no-brainer’ that it should be built.
“A North Wales tidal lagoon, not many miles from the tidal stream development areas off Anglesey will position North Wales as a global leader in marine renewable energy.
“NWTE’s by-line is ‘By North Wales. For North Wales’ and we would make every effort to ensure that local and regional professional services, construction, transport and manufacturing industries are involved in the development of this huge project.
“This would create a significant number of highly-paid and highly-skilled jobs that would be much in demand globally as worldwide interest in predictable renewable technologies grows.
“The North Wales tidal lagoon would be a major visitor attraction in its own right with a visitor centre and marine facilities being incorporated in its design.
“Protected waters would provide a fantastic environment for water sports and aquaculture, while locks will ensure that boats and fishing vessels can continue to go out into Liverpool Bay.
“The lagoon will boost tourism and create jobs in that sector for years after the project is completed.”
The report estimates that the initial stages of the project would take five years to complete with necessary plans being drawn up and approved and licenses obtained before the construction stages begin.
This second, construction stage, is expected to take approximately six years and create over 15,000 jobs in construction alone.
The report forecasts a huge bonanza for local and regional businesses and states: “It is assumed that two-thirds of the capital spending of the project was circulated in the local and regional economy of North Wales.
“This means that at least two-thirds of the project’s spending goes to local and regional firms to generate the direct, indirect and induced impacts.”
NWTE supports the Welsh Government’s little known but important Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act and believes that its proposed project fulfils each of the seven requirements for the Government to consider the nation’s future prosperity, resilience, health, equality, cohesive communities and culture.
Mr Dixon has just met with MPs and AMs from East to West along the coast and says that all have been positive about the potential of a tidal lagoon and have voiced their support.
Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane, whose constituency sits at the eastern edge of the proposed lagoon said;
“We have a huge opportunity here in Wales to become a world leader in tidal technology and it is exciting to think that North Wales could be at the forefront.
“Not only is tidal energy better for the environment, it can bring highly skilled jobs to the North Wales coast while also providing additional improvements to flood defences.
“Wales should be pushing ahead with projects such as this.”
Assembly Member Darren Millar’s Clwyd West constituency also has a lengthy coastline and he said:
“I fully support efforts to develop a tidal lagoon off the North Wales coast.
“Not only would such a project help to meet Wales’ future energy needs and offer flood protection for thousands of homes and businesses, but it would also provide a huge economic boost to the region with tens of thousands of jobs being created both during the construction phase and afterwards as a result of new marine leisure and sea farming opportunities.”
NWTE are currently developing the plans for their project, prior to undertaking a comprehensive design review and environmental studies and modelling to ensure that the project meets all the necessary, and important, regulatory and planning requirements.
Henry Dixon said:
“Our tidal lagoon proposal would be transformational for North Wales. Over 20,000 jobs and mitigation of the flood risk for people, businesses and local infrastructure along the whole coastline would make a huge difference to the regional economy and the communities who live in this beautiful area.
“So too, would the availability of enormous amounts of totally predictable and reliable renewable energy.
“While much of the focus on renewable energy sources is on the amount of energy they produce, it is becoming increasingly important to the National Grid to have energy supplies that are entirely predictable and not dependent on imports from other parts of the world.”
