Abstract
The Review was initiated by Government following proposals for tidal lagoon projects, in particular a proposal by the company Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) for a tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay. The focus of the Review is not on specific proposals but on the general principles of tidal lagoons. However much of my consideration necessarily started with work which has already been done for Swansea Bay: as it is by far the most developed proposal, it is also the best source of data concerning many issues covered.
I have divided the task facing the Review into two parts. Part One is to assess whether tidal lagoons can, and should, play a cost effective role as part of the UK’s energy mix – the ‘existentialist question’. Part Two is to consider circumstances in which this might happen by exploring how the technology and the new industry might be developed and financed, and how the optimum national interest can be achieved.