The Government has denied dragging its heels over a pioneering scheme to generate renewable energy from tidal lagoons.
Former energy minister Charles Hendry supported the technology in a Government-commissioned review earlier this month, saying the plans could create a new global industry for the cost of a pint of milk per household per year.
The lagoons use the power of tides to generate electricity and would be less expensive than both offshore wind and nuclear power over the first 60 years of their 120-year life, the review found.
Labour’s Stephen Doughty told MPs there was massive potential for tidal energy in Wales, where plans for a pilot scheme in Swansea Bay were backed by the Hendry review.
Speaking during business questions in the Commons, Mr Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) said: “There is huge potential for tidal energy, not just in the Swansea scheme but along the south Wales coast and the Severn estuary and indeed along the north Wales coast.
“But I am hearing concerning things about the department dragging its heels.
“Will the minister assure me there will be strong ministerial leadership to take the recommendations forward, to get on with the Swansea scheme and to get on with other schemes?”
Energy minister Nick Hurd rejected the claims, saying the review was being considered to ensure the best interests of UK energy consumers.
He said: “There is no suggestion that the department is dragging its heels, nor will we.
“We will give this, however, a proper thorough consideration in the public interest on value for money and other grounds as well.”
Mr Hurd went on: “The question must be considered in the round, and not merely on the merits of the Swansea Bay scheme.
“It’s the Government’s job to consider the advantages and disadvantages of tidal lagoons as a whole, and to take a decision which includes not merely the financial elements but also environmental elements, the capacity to generate power as part of a wider energy mix and ancillary elements as well.”
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