Following the announcement of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) appointment as preferred bidder for the construction of the lagoon wall and accompanying marine works, Tidal Lagoon Power issued a statement regarding the Board’s position on rock supply for the project.
The Board’s position was conveyed by Keith Clarke , Non-Executive Chairman at Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay, as follows:
“Approximately 5 million tonnes of rock will be used in the construction of the lagoon. The responsibility to source this rock and transport it to Swansea Bay will sit with CHEC. No decisions have been taken on the source of rock supply.
“The materials used in the construction of the lagoon must be sourced responsibly and in a way that helps the project manage its costs, its risks, its impacts and its carbon content.
“The Board stresses that any UK or European quarry operation seeking to play a role in the Swansea Bay supply chain must be able to demonstrate its ability to do so in a sustainable manner to the relevant authorities and to CHEC, the lagoon’s marine works contractor.”
Clarke added that the Board is committed to deliver a project that will maximize long-term employment and investment in UK.
Environmental concerns have been raised over the sourcing of the rock for construction of Swansea tidal lagoon’s wall – particularly over the possible re-opening of Dean Quarry and the potential impacts it could have on the marine conservation area located at the same place as the quarry.
Image: Tidal Lagoon Power