Tidal lagoon power update

Laura Hodgetts

Catch up on the plans to harness the tidal power of the Severn...

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Tidal Lagoon Power has recently published an update on their plans to harness the tidal power of the Severn Estuary.  Here’s a round up as provided by the Royal Yachting Association.

Swansea Tidal Lagoon

Since consent was granted by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Tidal Lagoon Swansea Ltd has been preparing to build the world’s first tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay once the remaining permissions have been secured and financial close with investors is achieved.

The aim is to start the initial civil works on site in autumn 2016 so that the marine works can start in spring 2017. Power-on is currently planned in 2021.

Cardiff Tidal Lagoon proposal

Tidal Lagoon Cardiff Ltd recently submitted a scoping report for the Environmental Impact Assessment to the Planning Inspectorate under Regulation 8 of The Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations 2009.

In response, it has received a “scoping opinion” on the information that must be included in the Environmental Statement.

This can be viewed on Tidal Lagoon Cardiff’s page on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website.

Protecting the environment

The aim of the EIA is to protect the environment by ensuring that the examining authority is aware of the likely significant effects of the project proposal, and takes this into account in the decision making process.

Where adverse impacts cannot be avoided or mitigated, further assessment will be required, which may result in having to provide effective compensatory measures in order to maintain the integrity of the network of European sites.

Currently Tidal Lagoon Cardiff Ltd is carrying out preliminary work on the following:

  • Historical data is being collated from all Severn Estuary survey work over the last 20 years
  • Data is also being collated on the current activities of estuary users such as the use of the disposal grounds and dredging information
  • Hydrodynamic, sediment and water quality is being modelled
  • Geophysical and oceanographic surveys are being undertaken
  • Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) screening is being carried out
  • An evidence plan approach is being adopted across all core EIA topics
  • Bird and fish surveys are being conducted

Next steps

Public consultation on the Cardiff Lagoon proposal is expected to begin later this year prior to an application for development consent in the second quarter of 2017.

The RYA will again represent the navigational interests of the recreational boating sector.  We will continue to consult with developers on their tidal technologies and how they may affect recreational boating in the future.

You can keep up to date with the project to harness natural power from the rise of fall of the tides in the Severn Estuary on Tidal Lagoon Cardiff’s website.