Last week’s poll: government funding for disruptive energy technologies

With government funding ruled out for Tidal Lagoon Power’s proposed tidal energy projects, we asked when public sector funds should be made available for untried but promising energy technology projects.

A proposed proof-of-concept project in Swansea Bay would have seen a 320MW facility built, followed by scaled-up developments at sites in Cardiff, Newport, West Cumbria, Colwyn Bay, and Bridgwater Bay.

In justifying the government’s position, business secretary Greg Clark said: “The inescapable conclusion…is that however novel and appealing the proposal that has been made is…the costs that would be incurred by consumers and taxpayers would be so much higher than alternative sources of low carbon power.”

That isn’t to say tidal has been ruled out, but Clark has stipulated that ‘any proposals must be able credibly to demonstrate value for money for consumers and public funds’.

We asked if you agree with what Clark seems to be saying, that disruptive technology projects should only receive public funds if they represent a clear and immediate cost benefit to the public?