RenewableUK has today commented on new research on tidal lagoon technology. The research shows that if six tidal lagoons were constructed around the coasts the sector could supply as much as 8% of the UK’s electricity needs and during peak of construction employ nearly 71,000 people.
The paper, authored by Centre for Economics and Business Research, and commissioned by Tidal Lagoon Power, finds that the operations of the lagoon and the electricity they produce will contribute GBP £3.1 billion a year to the UK economy. The report also highlights the potential for lagoons to help protect vulnerable communities from floods.
RenewableUK Wave and Tidal Development Manager Dee Nunn said: “This report shows the huge potential value of tidal lagoons to the UK. This technology alone could produce as much of 8% of the UK’s electricity needs, and create jobs and growth. However, for the tidal sector to really flourish, there needs to be a clear vision for the role of the technology in our future energy needs, which means looking beyond 2020”.