Work to build a tidal lagoon on Swansea’s waterfront featuring turbines generating 320 megawatts of renewable energy from the 9.5km structure could begin as early as 2023.
The lagoon would be part of the £1.7bn Blue Eden project, which is being backed by an international consortium led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations, with support from Swansea council and Associated British Ports.
Blue Eden will be delivered over 12 years and three phases, subject to planning permission. The project also features:
- A 60,000 sq m manufacturing plant to make batteries for renewable energy storage.
- A battery facility that will store the renewable energy produced at Blue Eden and power the site.
- A 72,000 sq m floating solar array anchored in the Queen’s dock area.
- A 94,000 sq m data centre.
- An oceanic and climate change research centre.
- Floating dome structures that will become cultural and scientific centres.
- Residential waterfront homes for 5,000 people.
- Approximately 150 floating, highly energy-efficient eco-homes anchored in the water.
Blue Eden will be situated along an area of land and water, to the south of the Prince of Wales Dock in the SA1 area of Swansea.
Swansea had been one of the locations on the Welsh coastline where one of six tidal lagoons had been planned by the government until the idea was scrapped. However, the Welsh government resurrected the idea for Swansea after issuing a Prior Information Notice for the scheme earlier this year.
Tony Miles, co-founder and chief executive of DST Innovations, said: "Blue Eden is an opportunity to create a template for the world to follow – utilising renewable energy and maximising new technologies and thinking to develop not only a place to live and work, but also to thrive."
The project has been developed following discussions based on a vision put forward by a regional task force led by Swansea Council.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said: "We are aware now more than ever of the need to develop renewable energy supplies to provide sustainable and affordable electricity to families and businesses.
"Blue Eden will put Swansea and Wales at the cutting-edge of global renewable energy innovation, helping create thousands of well-paid jobs, significantly cut our carbon footprint and further raise Swansea’s profile across the world as a place to invest.
"I’m delighted that an international consortium led by a Welsh company has developed our Dragon Energy Island vision into a ground-breaking project that delivers so many benefits and builds on the council’s ambition to become a net zero city by 2050.
"This project truly is a game-changer for Swansea, its economy and renewable energy in the UK, and crucially it can be delivered without the need for government subsidies."
Comments
Comments are closed.
Has been talked about for a long time now, this tidal lagoon really needs to happen, its a very exciting project and a necessary one to help tackle climate change.