Submission to independent review urges government to commit to new industry
Proposals to build a series of tidal lagoons in the UK have been firmly backed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) in a submission to a government-commissioned review of the potential new renewable sector.
Within the ECA response to the Hendry Review, an independent analysis requested by the government earlier this year, the trade body said that tidal lagoons offered the ‘complete package’ of long lifespan, high flexibility, and very high energy predictability.
The ECA submission went on to emphasise the tidal power could ‘help the UK to face the considerable challenge of maintaining UK energy capacity and security, while meeting carbon reduction targets.’
ECA Director of Business Paul Reeve commented:
“To help Britain to keep the lights - and everything else - on, the UK desperately needs investment in predictable renewable energy capacity.
“A key part of the UK's low carbon energy mix has to be renewables, and tidal power offers the opportunity for Britain to be world leaders in this increasingly attractive route to electrical energy production and energy storage.
“The ECA urges the government to show its commitment to energy security and tackling climate change by supporting a potentially game changing renewable energy sector in Wales.”
There are proposals for six tidal lagoons to be built across the UK, with Swansea potentially the first location. The tidal lagoon in Swansea would allow power 155,000 homes, while all six power stations would together provide around 8 per of current energy demand.
In terms of cost, by way of comparison, the Swansea tidal lagoon has a similar strike price to that proposed for Hinkley Point nuclear power station. The cost of follow-up lagoons is expected to fall sharply due to anticipated cost savings and efficiencies.
Back in 2014, the ECA hosted over 80 representatives from the electrical and building services industry near the planned location of the Swansea tidal lagoon. Representatives from attending SMEs emphasised the opportunities that the power station could bring to the construction industry.