The new World Trade Centre is doing something much greater than just rebuilding, they are putting something of the soul and community back into the City of New York. Just as dramatic then is the vision and scope of the Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay project. This is more than just a great landmark construction scheme. This is a visionary project that will provide predictable, renewable electricity for over 120,000 homes for over 120 years.

Constructing Excellence Wales supported the South West Wales Best Practice Club yesterday when Tessa Blazey, Head of Engagement at Tidal Lagoon gave a presentation on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

It is truly a world class project, but it is also a global first. Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will be the world’s first, purpose-built, tidal energy lagoon. In what will be a £650 million investment, the power of the Welsh tides can be harnessed to provide electricity that is renewable, secure, local, reliable and long-term and create something positive, dynamic and exciting for the people within Swansea Bay.

It is an opportunity for Wales to lead the UK’s tidal energy industry, while enjoying wider benefits that are diverse, unexpected and often unique for energy infrastructure. But, more importantly for our industry – it will be an example of how Welsh construction, design and engineering will help create clean power, jobs, support regeneration of the area, promote tourism, and even foster art, sport and healthy living. It will be a great opportunity for construction to move the UK to home-grown, low-carbon energy and deliver real, long term community benefits at the same time.