Cardiff Tidal Lagoon secures grid connection

Offer subject to final sign off of the Swansea Bay scheme

Tidal Lagoon Power has announced it has secured the grid connection for a 3,240MW capacity tidal lagoon project, based between Cardiff and Newport.

The company has accepted an offer from National Grid Electricity Transmission, which is subject to a final sign off by the UK government for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project to be the pathfinder scheme.

The proposed Cardiff tidal lagoon project would consist of a 20.5km breakwater wall, housing up to 108 turbines within at least two powerhouse units.

By enclosing around 70km of the Severn Estuary, the scheme would pass an average of around 600 million cubic metres of water through its turbines on each tidal cycle.

When operating in pumping mode, Cardiff Tidal Lagoon could act as a flexible lead for the grid, with up to 2,171MW of demand permitted under the agreement with National Grid.

The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project has faced numerous delays and is still waiting a final decision from Westminster.

“While we await the government’s response to this offer and to the independent Hendry Review of tidal lagoons, we have continued our development work on the subsequent programme,” said Tidal Lagoon Power’s chief executive, Mark Shorrock.

“What’s more, by leveraging the commanding position taken by UK industry preparing for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, the supply chain contracts awarded for Cardiff Tidal Lagoon will be worth more than £6 billion to UK companies.”

The leader of Cardiff City Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said the agreement with National Grid “could play a key role in driving the project forward”.

“Thousands of jobs could be created delivering low-carbon energy,” said Thomas, “Cardiff and the city region could become renowned across the world for driving green technologies.

“It’s important Cardiff, its residents and the wider region are all able to capitalise on the opportunities a project of this scale offers.”