China Harbour Engineering in line for UK landmark project

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been named preferred bidder for UK£ 300 million (US$ 460 million) marine works contract on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project. The scheme in the UK is said to be the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant.

The contract will include construction of a 6 mile (9.7 km) lagoon wall in Swansea Bay for the project developer Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd. In addition to this contract, the two parties say they plan to sign a memorandum of understanding for the development of tidal lagoons in Asia.

Tidal Lagoon Power also says CHEC has committed that the project will include around 50% UK content, and it has established a UK subsidiary company ahead of work getting under way.

Lin Yi Chong, president and CEO of CHEC said, “CHEC has taken the strategic decision to enter the UK infrastructure investment and construction market, and we see the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, a pioneering scheme that could bring the world a new energy option, as the cornerstone project in our business development strategy in the UK and wider Europe.

“We have not invested directly into the Swansea Bay project but we made a proposal to do so and will seek opportunities to invest in similar projects in the UK and Europe”

Mark Shorrock, chief executive of Tidal Lagoon Power, said, “I have worked in China, speak Chinese and have huge esteem for China's delivery capability and ability to deliver projects to time and budget. Having encouraged CHEC to bid this job and invest in Western European infrastructure projects by creating a British base, I was delighted, following an intensive competition, when my engineering colleagues recommended CHEC for our seminal Swansea Bay project.