Is the Swansea Tidal Lagoon dead in the water?
David Cameron gave evidence to a parliamentary committee about the Swansea Tidal Lagoon, the Prime Minster suggested that his views over the viability of the scheme may have changed.
In response to David Cameron's change of heart regarding the Swansea Tidal Lagoon, Lisa Rapado, Wales Green Party Candidate for South Wales West and Neath Constituency Candidate.
"David Cameron has given has given a thinly veiled warning that the Swansea Tidal Lagoon may now be dead in the water. This is yet another sign that his 'greenest government ever' just doesn't get the need for an urgent transition to cleaner, safer energy."
"Greens believe it is wrong to look at investment in innovative forms of generation just in terms of the cost to today's consumers. Decades of this political short termism has brought us dangerously close to a climate disaster.
"We know that too many people are struggling to afford their energy bills. But short sighted cuts, bean counting, and delays to vital investment in clean generation are not the answer.
Alice Hooker Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party said;
"The Wales Green Party's vision is for a Wales where we generate more energy locally, sell it locally, and create jobs locally. This democratisation of energy, along with investment in large scale renewables, energy storage and energy efficiency is the real way to end fuel poverty, and to leave a legacy for future generations that we can be proud of."
Notes to editors:
1. Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd are involved in negotiations with DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change) to agree to a subsidised 'strike price' for the energy generated by the proposed Swansea Tidal Lagoon. This consists of a direct subsidy from consumers. This guaranteed return on investment will, they argue, demonstrate the viability of lagoons, laying the groundwork for future tidal lagoons to compete for future subsidies in an open market.
2. David Cameron has previously been quoted as being 'totally behind' the lagoon. It featured prominently in the Chancellor's 2014 budget statement, but was not mentioned in 2015.
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