WELSH MPs from all parties joined together in an ‘unusual’ display of unity to discuss the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon Project on Tuesday (Mar 8).
However, the response from the UK Government was notably less enthusiastic.
Simon Hart, the Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, led the debate, claiming beforehand that it could bring ‘hundreds of jobs’ to his constituency, as well as providing widespread benefits for Wales and the UK as a whole.
At present, while planning permission has been given for the project, it is on hold while the UK Government reviews the guaranteed price for the energy generated.
“Over the next 10 years the UK will lose at least 11 coal fired power stations, followed by our ageing nuclear capability, so it is no exaggeration to say the lights will go off unless this energy shortfall is met,” he added.
“There will also be a positive impact on south west Wales’ ‘tourism offer’ and this will feed down to Pembrokeshire. The project is being supported by UK, Welsh and local government as well as economists and environmentalists.”
In the debate, Mr Hart said that the project, which has enjoyed cross-party support from the Welsh Government and Welsh MPs, could be essential for the future production of energy in the UK: “Over the next 10 years, the UK will lose 11 of its coal-fired power stations, followed by our ageing nuclear capability. In technical terms, that is the same as a 25 GW reduction out of a total capacity of 85 GW across the UK,” he remarked.
“As yet, nobody has made it entirely clear how we will fill that void. Hinkley Point is 10 years off, and today further questions were raised about the speed and certainty of that project. No new gas-fired power stations are under construction in the UK.
“I do not want to sound too melodramatic, but there will be a lights-off moment in about a decade’s time unless the Government – I would say this to any Government – take it seriously.”
MPs from all parties spoke in support of the project, and Members from other parts of the UK suggested that the proposed development could bring manufacturing business to firms across the country.
Mr Hart replied that he hoped most of the construction work, including the steel, would be carried out in Wales: “and preferably with bits of it in Pembrokeshire: “However,” he added, “I recognise with a heavy heart and rather grudgingly that we may have to extend our reach to Sheffield.”
In response to a claim by the Conservative MP Antoinette Sandbach that her Cheshire constituents were concerned about energy costs, Mr Hart replied: “My point is that her constituents will not have any electricity at all, expensive or cheap, unless we fill the void that will be staring us in the face in about a decade’s time.”
However, The Minister for the Department of Energy and Climate Change Andrea Leadsom, responded by ‘clarifying’ the Conservative manifesto pledge for the Lagoon: “I want to clarify one important thing: my hon. Friend is absolutely right to mention that the Swansea bay project was in our manifesto,” she said. “The Government absolutely recognise its potential to deliver low-carbon, secure energy for the future.
“However, as I am sure he will accept, it was not a commitment to deliver a contract for difference. This Government are absolutely determined to prioritise keeping costs down, to be on the consumer’s side and to decarbonise at the lowest price while keeping the lights on.
“Although the project is of huge interest to us, I am sure that he will appreciate that we must keep a close eye on the cost.”
Ms Leadsom later added that ‘we are keen on the project, but not at any price.’
In his final remarks, Mr Hart said: “As far as manifesto commitments are concerned, nothing annoys me – and I suspect voters – more than something that gives a very clear impression in the written word in a manifesto that is followed up a few weeks or months later with: “Oh, we didn’t mean it quite like that. “
“The manifesto was really pretty clear about this project; there was no indication anywhere that this project might run into the long grass at a later stage.”
The 2015 Conservative manifesto stated: “We’re entering into the first phase of negotiations on a Contract for Difference for Swansea Tidal Lagoon to recognise Wales’ potential to become a major hub for tidal and wave power. This project will create thousands of jobs and attract millions of pounds worth of investment into Wales.
“Mr Hart added that the debate had been characterised by three words beginning with ‘u’: “Unity, which is good and somewhat unusual – to give a fourth word beginning with ‘u’ ; uncertainty, which is bad, and I hope that has been taken on board; and unique, because this proposal has a unique nature.
“There have been some erroneous comparisons with other projects. This project is not the same as other projects and therein lies its strength,” he added.
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