Government rejects plan for £1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea

Ministers say project is too expensive but decision sparks widespread criticism

The government has rejected plans for a 1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay, dashing industry hopes of Britain leading development of a new source of renewable energy and sparking widespread criticism.

Ministers said the project, which would have been subsidised through household energy bills for decades, was too expensive compared with alternatives such as offshore windfarms and nuclear power.