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New funding for tidal energy projects in the UK

New funding for tidal energy projects in the UK
(Courtesy: Silas Baisch/Unsplash)

The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford recently announced that the Welsh government will be providing $950,000 USD (£750,000) in funding for research projects that focus on tidal lagoon technology. 

This exciting news was announced at the Marine Energy Wales Conference in Swansea, where the first minister discussed his ambition to make Wales a world center for emerging tidal technology.

What the grants will fund

The research that will be funded by this money will help to address the barriers that have prevented tidal’s development and will give more insight into the benefits that the technology could bring to Wales. The aim is to advance the future development of a tidal lagoon project in Welsh waters, making a significant contribution to delivering a future tidal lagoon project in Wales and moving the UK sector forward as a whole.

The funding will be available for at least three research projects, which will focus on areas such as improving turbine designs, exploring environmental impacts, and addressing the challenges of connecting tidal power to the grid. These research projects will be crucial in unlocking the enormous potential of tidal lagoon technology in Wales and beyond.

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The benefits of tidal

Unlike wind or solar power, which are dependent on weather conditions, tidal power is entirely predictable. This means that it can provide a reliable source of energy that can be used to complement other forms of renewable energy and help to reduce the carbon footprint of the UK’s energy system.

In addition to its reliability, tidal lagoon technology also has the potential to provide significant economic benefits to the regions where it is deployed. The development of a tidal lagoon project could create jobs and stimulate investment in local supply chains, helping to boost local economies.

Mark Drakeford is keen to promote the development of renewable energy in the region and sees tidal lagoon technology as a key part of this. He believes that Wales can’t deliver this alone and needs to work in partnership with the industry to build the right environment for the sector to flourish.

Ioan Jenkins, chair of the Tidal Range Alliance, writes that:

“We are pleased that the Welsh Government remains committed to delivering tidal range and ensuring this vital technology delivers secure, renewable power, as well as jobs and investment for Wales and the UK. The technology has already been proven at scale and this research will help provide the evidence that will unlock the first wave of tidal range projects, here in Wales.”

Step change

The funding for tidal lagoon research is just one part of a broader commitment by the Welsh government to promoting renewable energy in the region. The government has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, and the development of tidal lagoon technology is seen as a key part of achieving these goals.

The research will help to provide the evidence that will unlock the first wave of tidal range projects in Wales, bringing jobs and investment to the region. The Welsh government’s commitment to promoting renewable energy and investing in the future of tidal lagoon technology is an exciting development and one that has the potential to have a significant impact on the region’s economy and environment.

After recent disappointments around the collapse of Swansea Bay’s Tidal Lagoon project, this funding provides fresh hope for the UK’s tidal industry. A wide range of international renewable heavyweights including Atkins, General Electric, Dulas, Andritz Hydro and Laing O’Rourke were poised to break records with their involvement in the world first that sadly, didn’t come to fruition.

The announcement from the Welsh Government provides a second chance for the celtic nation, and all key contractors, to leap ahead with the limitless and powerful ocean technology.