Lagoon will put Swansea at the heart of global innovation

SWANSEA could soon be on the world stage as a leading global city of innovation and sustainable energy production, according to Swansea Council.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, says Energy Secretary Amber Rudd’s approval of plans for a £1 billion pound tidal lagoon project in Swansea Bay is hugely encouraging news for the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.

A Cardiff University Business School study estimates the lagoon’s three-year construction phase could be worth over £500 million to the Welsh economy.

Cllr Stewart says the project will make Swansea an exemplar for innovation and generate many recreational and tourism benefits for both Swansea residents and visitors to the city.

Cllr Stewart said: “Swansea has always been a city of innovation and a city of firsts, from the onset of the world’s first passenger train in Mumbles to the designation of Gower as the UK’s first ever Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The approval of these plans for a major new tidal lagoon facility – the first of its kind in the world – will further strengthen our status as a leading city of innovation at a time when two new university campuses are forthcoming and Sir Terry Matthews, as Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Region Board, is raising the international profile of Swansea Bay as a place to visit, invest and do business.

“The construction of the tidal lagoon would also be a major boost to the local economy. Not only will it open up new jobs and generate more trade for existing local businesses, but the inclusion of facilities for cycling, walking, angling, running, rowing and sailing will generate recreational benefits for local people and further boost a tourism industry that’s already worth over £360 million a year to the local area. It’ll also lead to a new industry right on our doorstep that could potentially create a new export market in Swansea.

“Harnessing marine energy in this imaginative way could soon make Swansea a global example of innovative and sustainable best practice. This could well spark similar schemes across the world in future as other cities and countries follow in Swansea’s footsteps.”

About 1,850 construction jobs could be created by the tidal lagoon project, which could operate from 2018. When fully operational, it’s expected to generate 500GWH of electricity every year – that’s enough to power more than 155,000 homes.

The award of planning consent means that this ambitious project has taken a major step towards becoming reality.

Have a look at www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com for more information about the project.