Citizens Advice Slams Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay

What could be the world’s first tidal lagoon located in Swansea Bay has been dealt another blow after consumer charity Citizens Advice described it as “appalling value for money.”

The group made a statement in a response to Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) consultation on construction of the lagoon.

Furthermore, they believe the negotiations between government officials and developers is “inherently opaque” adding it should not receive subsidies.

According to the media, the developer is seeking £168/MWh over the 35 years while new offshore wind projects get £140/MWh and onshore £90/MWh.

The consumer charity added: “Given the huge cost and lack of countervailing benefits of the project, the outcome of the process should be to reject the application unless there is significant change from the prices and benefits currently in the public domain.”

The tidal lagoon would comprise 9.5 kilometres long sea wall that would form 11.5 square kilometres tidal lagoon at the Swansea Bay. The project would have a total capacity of 320MW.

OffshoreWIND staff; Image: Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay