A formal consultation is set to begin on a proposed £650million tidal lagoon.

The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project aims to harness this energy with
the world’s first, purpose-built, tidal lagoon power plant.  

From Thursday 4 July to Monday 5 August, a series of public exhibitions will be held throughout Swansea and
Neath Port Talbot.

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc are inviting comments on the proposed development before a planning application is prepared and submitted in
late 2013.

The company will apply to the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change (SoS), via the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), for a
Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008, as the project is
classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).

They will also apply to Welsh
Ministers, via Natural Resources Wales Marine Licensing Team (MLT), for a
marine licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Tidal Lagoon Power Plc proposes to build the lagoon on the
seabed south of and connecting to Swansea Docks (between the dredged channels
of the Rivers Tawe and Neath) and on other land nearby in the City and County
of Swansea and in Neath Port Talbot County Borough.

Work could begin as soon as
April 2015

Head of Planning, Alex Herbert said: ‘The project could
provide up to 400GWh of reliable, low carbon electricity each year – enough for
around 120,000 homes – making the project a significant contributor to
statutory, UK-wide, carbon reduction targets.

‘As a multi-million pound
investment, it will also create economic opportunities for local people and
businesses during construction and operation.

‘It would incorporate a new
visitor attraction with educational/sporting facilities and free, public access
around a new seawall.

‘However, the lagoon may also affect people, communities
and the environment through, for example: visual impact; restrictions to
navigation in Swansea Bay; ecological, water quality, coastal processes and
other environmental impacts; and increased traffic during construction and
operation phases.

‘Therefore, it is vital that local communities have
opportunities to contribute to the planning process.’

What will the project involve?

Offshore development work will include dredging works;
around 11km of new seawall connecting to shore at two points on or close to
Swansea Docks and incorporating visitor/sporting facilities; concrete housings
containing around 16 electricity-generating turbines; electrical connections;
and other necessary facilities.

Onshore development includes construction works: site
preparation and construction works including construction laydown areas and
temporary facilities.

Connection works: electricity transmission infrastructure
to export the electricity generated to Baglan National Grid Substation via
underground cables; road access from the A483 Fabian Way; road access from the
A4217 to King’s Road.

Shoreline works: gated access to the seawall with visitor
facilities; plus onshore operation, control and maintenance facilities.
Mitigation works: works to ensure that the Project properly fits its
environment.

Why Swansea Bay?

Mr Herbert added: ‘Swansea Bay’s tides are an outstanding and reliable source
of natural energy. The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project aims to harness this
energy with the world’s first, purpose-built, tidal lagoon power plant.

‘This
will consist of a man-made seawall containing a series of turbines to capture
energy from the motion of the tides and generate electricity.’

Royal Yachting Association (RYA) cruising manager Stuart Carruthers urged members of the public to have their say.

He said: ‘The RYA has been in discussion with the project’s developers to discuss risks to navigation by the project and the sea wall.

‘We have also discussed silting of the lagoon area, whether
safety zones will be required as well as the plans to create a natural
enclosure for the turbine housing, which would negate the need for a 400
metre marked exclusion area around turbines with wire and buoy system.

‘Whilst the RYA and RYA Wales are discussion with TLSB it is
important that the local recreational boating community make their
comments, positive or negative, to this proposed development.’

To find out more visit www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com