4C is now TGS

We are excited to announce a significant milestone in 4C Offshore's journey. Our integration into the TGS family marks the beginning of a new era in offshore wind market intelligence.

Learn what this means for you!

Ecotricity propose Swansea Bay project killers

By: Matthew White 11/05/2018 Ecotricity

General Tidal

Ecotricity presented the government with two alternative tidal lagoon proposals, ahead of a joint select committee review of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project.

Due to the high cost of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project, the government has felt unable to support it.

MPs on the business and Welsh affairs committee will begin taking evidence on Wednesday morning from a range of participants, including ministers, Charles Hendry and Mark Shorrock, chief executive of Tidal Lagoon Power, the company behind the Swansea project.

The two new plans unveiled today are in the Solway Firth, one on the English side of the border and the other on the Scottish side. Both projects would generate as much electricity as the Swansea Bay proposal, but at half the cost to build. That means they can make electricity for half the cost.

Ecotricity have partnered with Tidal Electric, the originators of the tidal lagoon concept, to develop the Solway sites; and are today signalling to the government that they are ready to take part in a competitive process, to ensure value for public money.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said: “The government has done well to resist the last couple of years of intense lobbying pressure from backers of the Swansea scheme, there was never a case for paying that much or for moving too quickly to allow for proper competition.

"In the last year the asking price for the Swansea project appears to have dropped considerably, that’s a valuable use of time by the government. But there’s more to go.

"Offshore wind is a great example of the process, it has been a tremendous success for the government. Starting out at almost twice the price of onshore wind it has fallen in price by 50% in the last three years. This same competitive process could be used to bring new tidal projects forward.

"The projects we have unveiled today are ready to take part in a proper process. There is no need to rush; done properly tidal lagoons could play a big part in our future energy mix, and in lowering our energy bills. There are other companies and other projects that would take part in a proper process.”

For more information follow the provided links.

Premium

4C Offshore Premium, our most popular subscription, gives you full access to use the 4C Offshore WebApp which includes exclusive offshore wind, transmission and vessel reports, news and downloads.

Request a 30 minute Demo

Ecotricity propose Swansea Bay project killers

Back to News

Trending News!