Swansea’s renewable tidal lagoon ‘Blue Eden’ will create thousands of jobs during and after construction, placing Wales at the forefront of renewable energy innovation
The renewable tidal lagoon announcement comes as world leaders gather in Glasgow later this week for the COP26 summit to tackle climate change.
The project proposed for Swansea’s waterfront will include many state-of-the-art features, such as a newly designed tidal lagoon with renewable energy underwater turbines.
These renewable energy servers will also be used to power surrounding eco housing – with each home having up to 20 years of renewable energy and heat provision included with the sale of the properties.
The project’s buildings, facilities, and residential eco-homes will be situated alongside the lagoon and will enhance the existing land in the area.
Blue Eden also aims to create over 2,500 permanent jobs and support a further 16,000 jobs across Wales and the UK.
The lagoon is part of the larger proposed Blue Eden project, led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports.
Made possible by funding from the private sector, the Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years.
‘A template for the world to follow’
Tony Miles, co-founder and chief executive of DST Innovations, said: “Blue Eden is an opportunity to create a template for the world to follow – utilising renewable energy and maximising new technologies and thinking to develop not only a place to live and work, but also to thrive.”
Swansea Council leader, councillor Rob Stewart, commented: “We are aware now more than ever of the need to develop renewable energy supplies to provide sustainable and affordable electricity to families and businesses.
“Blue Eden will put Swansea and Wales at the cutting-edge of global renewable energy innovation, helping create thousands of well-paid jobs, significantly cut our carbon footprint and further raise Swansea’s profile across the world as a place to invest.
“I’m delighted that an international consortium led by a Welsh company has developed our Dragon Energy Island vision into a ground-breaking project that delivers so many benefits and builds on the council’s ambition to become a net zero city by 2050.
“This project truly is a game-changer for Swansea, its economy and renewable energy in the UK, and crucially it can be delivered without the need for government subsidies.”
‘Deliver renewable energy, new homes and skilled jobs’
Andrew Harston, director of Wales and short sea ports for ABP, said: “We are engaged in discussions around the Blue Eden project which could deliver renewable energy, new homes and skilled jobs.
“This innovative prototype has the potential to be a first for the UK and bring Britain closer to our net zero target.
“This is an exciting project. If delivered alongside ABP’s own vision for South Wales, the Blue Eden Project could put the region at the very forefront of decarbonisation and digitalisation in Wales and at the vanguard of the energy transition journey and zero carbon living in the developed world.”
‘Global collaboration working at its best’
Senator for West Virginia and chairman of the senate energy and natural resources committee, Joe Manchin, added: “The pioneering work being carried out by DST and Batri in both Wales and West Virginia, USA, is a shining example of global collaboration working at its best, delivering innovative solutions that provide substantial contributions to both our war on climate change, and sustaining jobs in our communities.”
Subject to planning consent, Blue Eden on-site construction could start early 2023.
