The First Minister of Wales has announced a £750,000 fund for tidal lagoon research. The money will be available for at least three research projects focusing on the deployment of tidal lagoon technology.

The research will help address the barriers that have prevented the development of the technology and give more insight into the benefits it could bring to Wales. The work will advance the future development of a tidal lagoon project in Welsh waters.

The First Minister made the announcement at the Marine Energy Wales conference in Swansea. First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“Our ambition is to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technology. We cannot deliver this by ourselves. We need to work in partnership with the industry to build the right environment for the sector to flourish.

The research will make a significant contribution to delivering a future tidal lagoon project in Wales and move the sector forward as a whole.”

Ioan Jenkins, chair of the Tidal Range Alliance said:

“The Tidal Range Alliance is pleased 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.”

Further information can be read here.