THE proposed North Wales Tidal Lagoon, stretching from Llandudno to Prestatyn, comes under a new light following plans for the new Wylfa nuclear power station being suspended.

The tidal lagoon would would pump 2.5 gigawatts of clean, renewable electricity into the National Grid every year and provide power to over a million homes.

It would also provide the necessary protection for vulnerable homes, businesses, road and rail links, creating 20,000 jobs in the process.

Henry Dixon, chairman of North Wales Tidal Energy and Coastal Protection Ltd said:

“There is no immediate impact from the decision, but it does throw a new light on what we are doing as an alternative or in parallel.

“I would hope our proposals are more likely to happen and our proposals are something the Welsh Government and Westminster should look at as an alternative.”

He added: “I am very sorry Hitachi has taken its decision because the loss of an infrastructure project of this magnitude, and the employment it brings, is bad news for North Wales and for the UK because of because of the loss of future electric energy generating potential.

“The North Wales Tidal Lagoon is potentially a major infrastructure project which would employ a lot of people. According to an economic impact assessment by Glyndwr University it could result in more than 20,000 jobs in design, development, construction, operation and maintenance.

“Another significant factor is we would provide real help in preventing coastal flooding over the next 100 years.”

He added: “However this decision might make it easier for our company to raise the funds to do the engineering which will fully validate the cost effectiveness and value of our proposals.”

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: “The recent Wylfa decision was a huge blow to North Wales and the future energy security of the whole of the UK.

“Given the news it is essential that Governments in Wales and Westminster now redouble their efforts to bring forward other significant low carbon energy projects.

“The proposals for a tidal lagoon in North Wales could deliver huge economic benefits to the region, protect coastal communities from flooding and make a significant contribution to our future energy needs; I urge Ministers to look carefully at how they can help to bring this project to fruition.”