Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 2:09 pm on 17 July 2019.
Thank you very much for that answer, Minister. You may have heard yesterday during the business statement that the Trefnydd told me that the £200 million originally earmarked by Welsh Government to support a Swansea tidal lagoon was still available in reserves, but, of course, it would depend on the details of any project brought forward before any future commitment could be made for all that money. I hope that the new proposed model—that would see long-term energy supply sold to the large companies in advance—is a model that could be supported by the Welsh Government, subject to detail of course. So, I wonder if you could tell me whether you agree in principle that this new model for a Swansea tidal lagoon could be supported by Welsh Government, but in particular whether you can update me on progress by Natural Resources Wales in the granting of the marine licences that need to go alongside the current planning permission. As you know, that’s due to expire shortly, and I’d hate to think that it fails simply on the ground that the marine licences are very, very slow coming forward. Thank you.