THE head of a group behind a project to build a tidal lagoon stretching from Prestatyn to Llandudno has vowed to press on the plan, despite a similar scheme in Swansea being rejected. 

On Monday, the UK government refused to back a “world first” £1.3 billion tidal lagoon project, which would have generated ‘clean energy’ from the tides at from Swansea Bay, on cost grounds.

The project – deemed “not value for money for consumers and the public purse” – would have led to similar developments across the North Wales coast.

North Wales Tidal Energy (NWTE) recently carried out a study into the feasibility of a 22-mile lagoon between Llandudno and Prestatyn. 

Henry Dixon, chairman of NWTE, said the wrong decision had been made by the Government, but he remained adamant that plans to develop and promote a North Wales tidal lagoon had not been ‘blown out the water’.

Mr Dixon said: “At long last, the UK Government has come off the fence and delivered its decision on the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon.

“NWTE’s initial proposals demonstrate that the performance of a North Wales tidal lagoon will significantly surpass the projected output from Swansea. 

“The enhanced power output and revenue generated delivers a business plan that we believe will meet many of the minister’s concerns. 

“In addition and vitally important to North Wales is the added benefit of the coastal and flooding protection offered by a North Wales tidal lagoon. 

“As shown by recent studies, a lagoon will help protect over £3.3bn of property and infrastructure as well as the many communities who are increasingly impacted every year.”

Chris Ruane, MP for Vale of Clwyd, said Swansea would have acted as
“proof of the concept” and slammed Monday’s decision as short-sighted. 

He told the Journal: “It remains to be seen if the North Wales scheme can progress. I’m very disappointed. 

“We need to pile on the pressure. I will be writing Parliamentary questions and putting in Freedom of Information requests. 

“The plans for a North Wales tidal scheme are now less secure. It doesn’t look encouraging. Swansea was proof of the concept, but now the government has knocked it back on costs. 

“You have to invest in these things to see if they work.

“The North Wales scheme would have run Llandudno to Prestatyn. 

“We have had so many floods – the terrible Towyn floods, river flooding to name a few. It would have protected those areas from all of this.”

“One of the great things about tides in their reliability,” Mr Ruane added.

“It would have provided energy security and – in particular with regards to the proposal for the North Wales lagoon – would have helped improve flood defences, and skilled jobs.”

“This is a massive missed opportunity for Wales to lead the world in this new tidal technology.”

Mark Shorrock, chief executive and founder of Tidal Lagoon Power – the company behind the Swansea plans – reacted furiously to the Westminster decision. 

He accused the Government of “a vote of no interest in Wales, no confidence in British manufacturing and no care for the planet”.