Batri and Swansea Council sign Tir John agreement, marking the first on-the-ground delivery milestone for the wider Swansea Project, which includes the tidal lagoon.
The agreement brings forward solar development at Tir John, launching the first active phase of the Swansea Project and beginning the creation of the energy infrastructure needed to support future development in Swansea.
The Swansea Project is about more than generating renewable electricity. The tidal and solar developments provide the energy foundation for the wider project, creating thousands of skilled jobs in high-value advanced manufacturing driving significant and long-term economic growth for Swansea and the wider region.
As the first land-based element to move into delivery, Tir John marks the point at which the Swansea Project starts to take practical shape on the ground, with further phases to follow.
The Tir John development will be delivered over three phases, with phase one already holding planning consent and a grid connection offer and expected to deliver around 3MWp of solar capacity, enough to power hundreds of homes. The first phase will be delivered through private investment, without council or government capital funding.
Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said “Our ambition is to become one of the leading renewable energy regions in Europe by creating a once-in-a-generation tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay.
The plan for Tir John is a strategic first step to create part of the energy infrastructure that’s needed to allow the lagoon project’s tidal and land elements to proceed.
A range of other renewable energy technologies will also be included in the overall project, helping create thousands of high-quality jobs while laying the foundations for long-term investment and sustainable growth.
A tidal lagoon here would put the city on the world map for renewable energy and deliver clean power for decades. The momentum is building, and the vision is very much alive.”
Stephen Hughes, Chief Technology Officer at Batri, said:
“This is an important moment because it is where the Swansea Project starts to become real on the ground. Tir John will generate renewable energy, but its role is bigger than that. It begins to create the energy base for the wider project – one that can support future industrial development in Swansea, including a battery facility that will create significant skilled jobs as later phases come forward. That is why this first step matters so much.”
The Swansea Project would form a striking new landmark along Swansea Bay, combining tidal lagoon energy generation with public spaces, leisure opportunities and a new visitor attraction celebrating marine ecology and climate innovation.
The overall Swansea project continues to progress through planning, development and reporting milestones, with further announcements expected as additional phases reach the appropriate stage.
