Plans to deliver a once in a generation tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay have taken a major step forward, following a landmark agreement between Swansea Council and Batri Ltd.

Climate Change Minister Julie James has just announced the successful applicants of the Welsh Government’s £750,000 Tidal Lagoon challenge.

A £1.7 billion project which includes a tidal lagoon,will create thousands of well-paid jobs and place Wales at the forefront of renewable energy innovation has been announced by an international consortium.

The Welsh Government has launched a soft market testing exercise - the Tidal Lagoon Challenge - to assess the form any support it could provide for the construction of a tidal range electricity generation project on the Welsh coastline.

Eleven companies and organisations have expressed an interest in delivering a tidal lagoon for Swansea Bay – the project has an estimated £1.3 billion price tag,

Swansea Council – working in partnership with the Swansea Bay City Region – has decided to press ahead with the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon development rejected by the Government in June this year.

The Government has rejected the proposed Swansea Bay tidal lagoon on the grounds that it does not represent best value for money.

The independent Review commissioned  by the Government In February 2016 into the feasibility and practicality of tidal lagoon energy in the UK has concluded that there is clear evidence that tidal lagoons can play a cost effective role in the UK’s energy mix.

The creation of a £6 billion to £8 billion Tidal Lagoon in Cardiff Bay - between the capital city and Newport - will be discussed by the City of Cardiff Council’s Cabinet at a meeting next Monday.

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.