A NEWPORT MP has urged the UK Government to give the green light to a renewable energy scheme.

The Swansea Bay tidal lagoon is being developed as a pilot scheme and, if it is a success, further projects off the coast of Newport and elsewhere will be completed.

Last week the firm developing the scheme announced it had signed an agreement with the National Grid.

And, addressing energy secretary Greg Clark in Parliament this week, Newport East's Jessica Morden said: "This week’s electricity grid connection deal would make the Cardiff tidal lagoon the UK’s largest renewable energy project, generating some of the cheapest power in the country.

"It would be a big boost to Newport, but its potential can be realised only with the government first backing the pilot project in Swansea Bay.

"When will that happen?"

Saying he was "enthusiastic" about the project, Mr Clark replied the scheme was being assessed.