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£1.3bn Swansea Bay tidal lagoon decision expected | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A much-awaited decision on whether to go ahead with a £1.3bn Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon is expected on Monday. | |
Energy secretary Greg Clark is due to make a statement in Parliament on the project, which is expected to be rejected by the UK government. | |
It comes 18 months after a review backed the lagoon as a "no regrets" option. | |
Developers had claimed 155,000 homes would have been powered by the turbines. | |
If it is refused, the decision will come just one day after the Welsh Conservatives urged the UK Conservative government to back the project, saying it could "unleash an economic revolution". | |
The statement is expected to be made in the House of Commons by Mr Clarke on Monday afternoon, shortly before MPs were due to quiz his junior minister Claire Perry on why it has taken 18 months for a decision to be made. | |
Ministers have said the project must provide "value for money" and warned the energy produced would cost a lot more than nuclear power, despite claims by developers Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) that a revised offer made it cheaper. | Ministers have said the project must provide "value for money" and warned the energy produced would cost a lot more than nuclear power, despite claims by developers Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) that a revised offer made it cheaper. |
On Sunday, Suzy Davies, Conservative AM for South Wales West, said real value for money would be delivered as the UK could become the "undisputed" global centre for expertise. | On Sunday, Suzy Davies, Conservative AM for South Wales West, said real value for money would be delivered as the UK could become the "undisputed" global centre for expertise. |
Mrs Davies claimed tidal lagoon power was no longer set to be so expensive, and would be a major boost to the Welsh economy. | Mrs Davies claimed tidal lagoon power was no longer set to be so expensive, and would be a major boost to the Welsh economy. |
"The tidal lagoon is an opportunity to unleash an economic revolution in Wales, on a scale not seen since the regeneration of Cardiff Bay," she said. | "The tidal lagoon is an opportunity to unleash an economic revolution in Wales, on a scale not seen since the regeneration of Cardiff Bay," she said. |
Earlier in June, First Minister Carwyn Jones offered £200m from the Welsh Government to help build the lagoon. and the Wales Pension Partnership has offered its support. | Earlier in June, First Minister Carwyn Jones offered £200m from the Welsh Government to help build the lagoon. and the Wales Pension Partnership has offered its support. |
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said he would "really like" the project to go ahead, but warned that the UK government was "still looking at the numbers". | Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said he would "really like" the project to go ahead, but warned that the UK government was "still looking at the numbers". |
Tidal lagoon: The timeline | Tidal lagoon: The timeline |
2003: Plans first emerge for a £30m tidal power project in Swansea Bay from a green energy charity | 2003: Plans first emerge for a £30m tidal power project in Swansea Bay from a green energy charity |
2006: Tidal Electric Ltd prepares a scoping report for a lagoon to take the project on but it is put on hold | 2006: Tidal Electric Ltd prepares a scoping report for a lagoon to take the project on but it is put on hold |
2012: Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) unveils its ambition to develop a breakwater and power generation | 2012: Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) unveils its ambition to develop a breakwater and power generation |
2013: TLP starts developing its plans | 2013: TLP starts developing its plans |
2014: Plans submitted to Planning Inspectorate with a cost of £850m | 2014: Plans submitted to Planning Inspectorate with a cost of £850m |
2015: Proposals get backing of UK government, subject to subsidy agreement - hope it could be operational by 2018 | 2015: Proposals get backing of UK government, subject to subsidy agreement - hope it could be operational by 2018 |
2016: Report warns of impact on fish and Charles Hendry is appointed to lead independent review into £1.3bn lagoon's viability | 2016: Report warns of impact on fish and Charles Hendry is appointed to lead independent review into £1.3bn lagoon's viability |
2017: Hendry review backs the lagoon as a "no regrets" option but the UK government is still to decide | 2017: Hendry review backs the lagoon as a "no regrets" option but the UK government is still to decide |
2018: Delays, mostly believed to be over arguments over value for money. Welsh Government also offers substantial investment, as does Wales Pension Partnership | 2018: Delays, mostly believed to be over arguments over value for money. Welsh Government also offers substantial investment, as does Wales Pension Partnership |