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MPs call for Swansea lagoon decision

15 Feb 17 More than a hundred MPs have called on the government to back plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon to be constructed in Swansea Bay.

Some 107 MPs have signed a letter to the business and energy secretary of state Greg Clark calling for him to respond to the recommendations of the Hendry Review on tidal lagoons, and in particular Charles Hendry’s call for a pathfinder project, as soon as possible.

Former energy minister Charles Hendry was commissioned by the government in February 2016 to assess the potential role of tidal lagoons n the UK’s energy mix. His report was published last month and came down firmly in favour.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham, chair of the All Party Group for Marine Energy & Tidal Lagoons, said: “Former energy minister Charles Hendry started his review as a sceptic and ended as an enthusiast. He was very clear in urging the government to give the green light for a pathfinder in Swansea – the world’s first ever tidal lagoon – and then see whether the experience justified going ahead with much larger future lagoons.”

He added: “There is a large amount of support in parliament for this and many of us believe that tidal lagoons meet the aims of the government’s new industrial strategy. Clearly the business secretary and the chancellor will want to be sure the pathfinder is affordable in the context of delivering secure, domestic, low carbon and diversified sources of energy. Our letter is to urge the government not to delay in responding positively to the recommendations and getting the financial talks for the pathfinder under way.”

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