Tidal Power - Becoming Reality - Could It Happen Here?

I have come across a project call The Swansea Tidal Lagoon. This is a project that will provide electricity harnessing the power of the sea. It is still in the planning stage but the potential looks absolutely breath-taking. Below is a computer projection of what the lagoon would look like from above.

We are all aware of the discussions and arguments surrounding renewable energy in our area, especially the onshore wind turbines and the perceived problems they have caused. We are also well aware of the discussions regarding the offshore windfarms and their ability to blight the seascape. Whichever side of the argument you maybe on regarding these things they are intrusive and they are fairly one-dimensional in that they only provide power.

The Tidal Lagoon idea would appear to be much more acceptable. It is not as intrusive and it will provide more than just the ability to provide power, although that is it's primary role. I have put a link to a film promoting the idea in Swansea Bay below.

Why could we not have something like this in The Wash? I would have thought that the area inside The Wash would most certainly lend itself to this type of sustainable development. It would bring permanent jobs, permanent attractions and permanent income into our area.

Sometime ago, I attended a very interesting meeting in London with my good friend Cllr Craig Leyland of ELDC at which the idea of building barriers out to see to protect coastlines from flooding was discussed and received a fairly general welcome. If we then think about the problems this area has had with high tides in the recent past then this idea could also, perhaps, be seen as a way to combat some of those problems along similar lines.

Some time ago there was discussion about a Wash Barrier that would provide flood protection within The Wash area and also provide sustainable energy from the tidal action. Now I don't know a lot about that idea but I believe it was knocked back on environmental grounds to do with salt marshes and bird habitat etc. The idea being put forward for the Swansea Project would not actually have the same effect as far as I could see.

There is obviously a long way to go before the Swansea project is started let alone built but I have to say that this idea really excites me. What do you think about it? Could it be a goer? Would it be something that you would like to see?

Some links that you might like to have a look at for further information:

Swansea Tidal Lagoon Project 
http://www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com/
http://www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com/the-project/film/107/ (The film I mentioned above)

The WashTidal Barrier Project
http://www.washbarrier.org/