Bates disappointed by WAG delay in development of Welsh tidal lagoon competition (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Bates disappointed by WAG delay in development of Welsh tidal lagoon competition

February 3, 2009 12:00 AM

Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainability, Mick Bates AM, has expressed his disappointment over the lack of progress by the Welsh Assembly Government on examining whether EU funding could be used to fund a competition for the development of a tidal lagoon in Wales.

The Renewable Energy Route Map contains a commitment to 'examine whether EU Convergence Funds could be used to run a competition to identify the best tidal lagoon site in Wales and support the preparatory phases of constructing perhaps the world's first tidal-energy lagoon.'

After questioning the First Minister in the Chamber over the progress made on this commitment Mick stated:

"I am disappointed that the Assembly Government appears to have made no progress on sourcing EU Convergence funds to run a competition for the development of a tidal lagoon site in Wales.

"It is crucial that development within the Severn Estuary does not deter from the search for alternative options for harnessing wave and tidal power in Wales, but sadly it seems that the Assembly Government is placing too much reliance on the outcome of the Severn Tidal Energy feasibility study.

"The feasibility shortlist includes the Fleming and Bridgewater Bay Lagoons, which are two of the options for further examination. But in the meantime it is crucial that we see the development of an actual lagoon here in Wales, so that we can examine the real life potential of this technology and expand our portfolio of marine renewable energy.

"Wales has an immense renewable energy resource with the potential to benefit greatly from the opportunities offered by wave and tidal power, but it is crucial that the Assembly Government acts now to encourage more innovation for blue sky technologies to come forward, that will be the next generation in renewable energy."

End/Diwedd