4. What assessment has the Minister made of the energy potential of tidal lagoons? OAQ(5)0084(ERA)

Diolch. As part of the development for the first national marine plan for Wales, various assessments have been undertaken. These have identified the potential of renewable energy opportunities along the Welsh coastline of more than 6 GW.

Thank you for that response, Cabinet Secretary. You will be aware, of course, of all the discussions that have been ongoing now over a long period of time on the possible development of a tidal lagoon in Swansea bay. What local people want to know is when the Swansea tidal lagoon will be built.

Well, we are awaiting, obviously, a decision by the UK Government. I know that there are many conversations going on between the company, along with Natural Resources Wales. I have met with the company to show that, in principle, we are absolutely committed to supporting the development of a sustainable tidal lagoon industry here in Wales.

Cabinet Secretary, in your response on tidal lagoons you highlighted how they could play an important part in delivering green energy and part of the renewables mixed basket of opportunity that you as a Government will be promoting. But also in that basket of mixed energy opportunities is the ability for smaller land-based renewable projects. The real issue is about getting connection to the grid for many of those projects. I know I’ve asked you this question before, but are you making progress with the energy providers, such as Western Power—or the infrastructure providers, should I say—to allow them to assist so that small energy projects can get those connections, and assist in the green energy credentials of Wales?

Yes, certainly those conversations are ongoing and we are making progress.

Cabinet Secretary, the proposed tidal lagoon for Swansea will be the first such scheme in the world and, as such, is unproven technology. The developers claim the scheme will deliver 320 MW of installed capacity, but we have no way of knowing how much electricity will be actually generated. As we have seen from the Ramsey sound tidal scheme, things don’t always go to plan. Cabinet Secretary, what steps can the Welsh Government take to ensure that the tidal lagoons plan for Wales deliver the stated benefits, given the significant public investment that is required?

As I said in my earlier answer to Dai Lloyd, we’re awaiting, obviously, the UK Government’s decision on this. I have met with them to show that, in principle, we are committed to supporting tidal lagoons here in Wales. Certainly, from the discussions I’ve had, you’re right: it is a novel technology, so we need to know more about it. But I absolutely think Wales and the UK could become leaders in this field and I think we would gain significant economic benefit.

When Charles Hendry held an event here on the tidal lagoon, Cabinet Secretary, it was clear that there’s a very strong consensus of support across the political parties and, indeed, in Wales in general. Now that Charles Hendry has submitted his report last week, I think, to UK Government, will you continue to make Welsh Government support apparent to UK Government and also emphasise the consensus that exists in Wales and in the Assembly?

Yes, absolutely. We had hoped that the Hendry report would be submitted to the UK Government a little while before last week. We were hoping, certainly, the beginning of November. I’m very pleased that they’ve now got it. We look forward to their view of the report. I have requested, alongside my colleague Ken Skates, that we are fully engaged in discussions prior to any other announcements being made.