The Swansea Bay City Region

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 9 May 2018.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 1:58, 9 May 2018

Thank you. Dai Lloyd will know that the Welsh Government is very supportive, in principle, of the economic benefits of tidal lagoons, and the opportunities that I think we have for a growing, vibrant, marine industry. We are still awaiting a response from the UK Government. I think the last person to write from the Welsh Government was the First Minister, and we're still awaiting a response. I met with Claire Perry, the Minister of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, a couple of months ago, and pressed her also on the need to have a response as soon as possible.

I think you raise a really important point about smaller energy projects. Last week, I was in Pennal, and I visited a farm where there was a hydro scheme, and I think I mentioned it yesterday in my statement. It was one of the best projects I've seen, and I think it's really important that we do work with communities. We do have community energy projects, and you'll be aware the Welsh Government has put significant funding into these projects. I think, since I've been in post, for two years, we've had about 14 come to fruition.