Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Simon Thomas called on the Westminster Government to give a clear commitment to back the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon to fulfil the vision of the region’s city deal.
The Mid and West AM made the demand during First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday. It is 6 months since the UK Government’s review by Charles Hendry into the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the potential of tidal power more widely.
The independent review concludes that taking the first step with the project is a ‘no regrets’ decision by the Conservative Government in London.
Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs for Plaid Cymru Simon Thomas said:
“It would be an extremely poor message to those involved in the Swansea Bay City Deal region if we lose a huge renewable investment project in the tidal lagoon due to dither and delay by the Westminster Government.
“There is cross-party and business support for the project. Later this month I’ll be making the case with the Westminster Minister Greg Clark for the green light for the scheme with other committee chairs from the three main parties in the Senedd chamber.”
In a debate in the National Assembly Senedd chamber on 14th February a motion welcoming the Hendry review report and supporting the case for developing a tidal lagoon energy industry in the UK was passed with no dissent.
Party of Wales Assembly Member Simon Thomas added:
“I have discussed with several companies like Mainstay Marine Solutions in Pembroke Dock and firms in Carmarthenshire who stand ready to bid for the procurement that will follow.
“The proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon can help deliver the central vision of the Swansea Bay City Deal. The supply chain opportunity is significant. I know that a supply chain event in Llanelli was oversubscribed.
“If Theresa May’s government can find a £1billion bung for the DUP’s support surely the Conservatives can give their backing for this substantial scheme in Swansea Bay.”
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