Welsh Minister for Climate Change announces BHA backed winner for Tidal Lagoon Challenge at Marine Energy Wales 2024

The British Hydropower Association was delighted to hear that the BHA backed Cardiff University bid in the Socio-Economic and Finance Category for the Tidal Lagoon Lagoon Challenge was successful, and would be receiving funding. The Welsh Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, announced the winners of the challenge at the Marine Energy Wales 2024 event in Swansea, and we were mentioned as one of the key backers for the Cardiff University project. The project considers how different ownership and development/financing models for tidal lagoons could have positive impacts on the Welsh economy, and we are delighted to see that it will be able to continue with the funding from the challenge.

Marine Energy Wales also saw several different presentations from the other winners of the Tidal Lagoon Challenge such as Offshore Renewable Catapult for their FLOMax Flexible Lagoon Operation for Maximal Value project and Swansea University for their enabling tidal lagoon consents: providing fish migration data, and developing and validating an acoustic fish deterrence system for twaite shad project. We also heard from the Secretary of State for Wales David Davies who reaffirmed Westminster’s commitment to Marine Energy.

The BHA also proudly showcased their presence at Marine Energy Wales 2024 with a dedicated exhibition space. This platform provided an invaluable opportunity for the BHA to champion Tidal Range within the Marine Energy Sector, as well as allowing us to see what the other renewable Marine Energy industries such as Offshore Wind are doing to assist the transition to Net Zero.

Read more about what the Tidal Lagoon Challenge is here.