The man leading the 7 billion tidal lagoon project off the Conwy/Denbighshire coast said the project would not harm the environment.
Henry Dixon is the Chairman of North Wales Tidal Energy, lobbying the UK government and Welsh governments for funding in the amount of 50m.
If the 50m is secured, it would be used to fund an environmental impact assessment. This will take place before any government funding or private investment. It is believed that the lagoon can generate enough electricity to power all homes in WalesAs well as 500m annual returns.
Dixon claims that the tidal lagoons underwater turbines will not affect marine life and in fact will benefit the environment.
Everyone within the company is keen to reduce the company’s environmental impact. He said that fish is a big topic of conversation.
Can fish pass through the turbines? There are many developments. One option is to look at slow-moving turbines so that the fish can swim through them. Another is to make sure that there are enough locks and sluices so that fish can swim through them. One Norwegian company has a turbine which is 99% fish friendly.
He stated that there will be 150 km of water within the sea wall. This is protected water from large waves. The wall itself will be a good place for crustaceans, and other things. We have spoken to mussel farmers interested in setting up mussel farms within the walls. We will do all we can to minimize any potential damage identified during the environmental analysis.
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Dixon stated that the lagoon’s 4m high seawall would protect the coast against erosion and storms, and possibly other species of nesting birds. He assured businesses dependent on tourism that the seawall would not harm scenic views.
He said that the wall would be approximately 4m higher than sea level, so it won’t be visible from the shore.
A sea wall will be visible at both ends, looking like a port entering the shore. We have windmills so you won’t see it. Instead, you will see a line on the horizon. It will be almost invisible.
He also claimed that construction of the lagoon will be difficult but claimed that there would be no environmental impact.
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Mr Dixon said: It is an engineering problem. It is a difficult job but, at the end, it is a large dam that is filled with freshwater. It is a difficult job, but it can be done, according to both companies and consultants.
These caissons can be floated out, and the turbines can be floated out and installed simultaneously. It’s not difficult.
Last week, Conwy and Denbighshire county governments gave their support to this project.
Andrea Winterton (Marine Services Manager, Natural Resources Wales), stated that they were aware of the plans for the tidal lake between Prestatyn in North Wales and Llandudno at Llandudno in North Wales.
We are aware that the scheme is still in the early design phase and would welcome the chance to continue to engage the applicant to ensure all licensing and environmental requirements are met.
