The Government has announced that the Independent Review of Tidal Lagoons will be led by industry expert Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy from May 2010 until September 2012, supported by a team of seconded civil servants.
Since leaving ministerial office Charles Hendry has undertaken a wide range of roles, including as President of the British Institute of Energy Economics, chair of the Forewind Consortium from 2013-2015, and Commissioner of the UK Pavilion at the Future Energy Expo in Kazakhstan 2017.
The review will assess the strategic case for tidal lagoons and whether they could play a cost effective role as part of the UK energy mix. The review will also help establish an evidence base to ensure all decisions made regarding tidal lagoon energy are in the best interest of the UK. Its findings are expected to be announced in the Autumn.
The Government announced that an independent review would be undertaken into the feasibility and practicality of tidal lagoon energy in the UK in February tthis year.
The review will consider:
- An assessment of whether, and in what circumstances, tidal lagoons could play a cost effective role as part of the UK energy mix;
- The potential scale of opportunity in the UK and internationally, including supply chain opportunities;
- A range of possible structures for financing tidal lagoons;
- Different sizes of projects as the first of a kind;
- Whether a competitive framework could be put in place for the delivery of tidal lagoon projects.
ICE calls for quick decision on tidal lagoon energy review
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has called for a quick decision on tidal lagoon energy when the review is completed.
ICE Director General, Nick Baveystock, commented:
“ICE welcomes the announcement of an independent review into the value of tidal lagoons as a means of broadening the UK’s energy mix. Energy powers all infrastructure networks, as well as homes and businesses, so it is vital that the UK has a clear and coherent energy policy, particularly if we are to achieve legally binding decarbonisation targets.
“Independent reviews and commissions provide politicians with a strong evidence base; however, without timely decision making the independent process is undermined. That is why we call on a decisive decision following the conclusions from the Hendry Review.”
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