Liberal Democrats have announced that they would give the immediate go-ahead to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project and start plans for a programme of tidal lagoons, including at Cardiff, Colwyn Bay, and Newport, creating over 34,000 jobs in Wales alone and opportunities for hundreds of businesses in the supply chain.

A huge shift towards renewables and the clean economy is needed if we are going to bring down consumer bills in the long-term and take seriously our need to tackle climate change, honouring our commitment to the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. We are an island nation and our seas give us huge potential – we must harness their power.

Tidal lagoons alone could provide up to 10% of our future electricity needs, as well as further benefits of flood protection and regeneration of coastal areas. The benefit of tidal lagoons is that the tides never stop – it is a reliable source of energy that lasts for 120 years.

Former Energy Secretary and Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Kingston and Surbiton Ed Davey said:

“Tidal Lagoons are vital for creating Britain’s low carbon future and will provide extremely reliable and consistent energy for at least 120 years.

“It’s a disgrace that the Conservatives have refused to commit to giving Swansea Bay the go-ahead, when the case for it is clear. Even their own commissioned report said it should proceed, yet they have remained silent.

“Liberal Democrats would go ahead immediately with the lagoon at Swansea Bay and start planning for further lagoons in Wales and other parts of the UK.”