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Citizens Advice responds to the Hendry Review

12 Ionawr 2017

Citizens Advice has responded to Charles Hendry’s review of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon proposal, which was published today.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“When approving new projects for generating electricity the government needs to balance securing a sustainable, green energy supply with being cost effective for consumers.

“Initial proposals suggest the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon will cost around £90 per megawatt hour paid through people’s energy bills over 90 years - a more expensive option than other available renewables like wind and solar power.

“And while building tidal lagoons could bring benefits to the area, such as by creating new jobs and boosting tourism, we question whether it is fair for energy bill payers to pick up these costs where many of the benefits do not relate to the electricity being produced.  

“It is important that the government considers the findings of the Hendry Review in the context of the wider renewables market, comparing value for money on tidal, solar and wind power.”

Citizens Advice is the statutory body responsible for representing consumers’ interests in the energy sector.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal & other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales or to get advice online, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Last year we helped over 2.7 million people face to face, by phone, email or web chat.
  6. People sought our help with 6.2 million issues in the last year. For full service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends.
  7. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,900 locations across England and Wales.
  8. Citizens Advice was named Charity Times 2015 charity of the year.