Plans for the UK’s first tidal lagoon project have taken a step closer after planners accepted a bid for a £850million development in Swansea Bay.
The project, which would generate enough electricity to power 155,000 homes, will see a six-mile wall being built around the bay.
Turbines in the Severn Estuary would harness tides in the man-made lagoon and generate power for much of the day, with the developers hoping it would be the first step in a series of projects along the UK coast.
“Acceptance means that the application has reached the required standards to proceed to public examination before being determined by the Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change,” the developers said last night.
“Natural Resources Wales will consider in parallel an application for the marine licence that is required due to the project’s location in Welsh waters.
“The marine licence application was itself accepted for consideration on Friday 28 February.”
The scheme, which is set to generate almost 2000 jobs in south Wales, would save 236,000 tonnes of carbon a year and would also see new watersport facilities and a sea reef being developed.
A public examination of the plans will now be held.
