Boost for Fleetwood tidal power proposals as campaigners lobby ministers

Artist's impression of scheme tidal energy scheme proposed for Fleetwood

Natural Energy Wyre (NEW), the company behind the planned 120MW tidal power plant at Fleetwood says the scheme would generate enough energy to supply 100,000 energy efficient homes and that it is currently at an advanced planning stage.

It has so far been a long haul for this large scale multi-million pound project but NEW believes the tide is starting to turn in its favour.

Last week Simon Hamlyn, chief executive of the British Hydropower Association (BHA), gave evidence to the Commons Environmental Audit Committee about the benefits of large-scale tidal range schemes to generate electricity as part of the UK’s low carbon future.

And Henry Dixon, chair of the BHA’s Tidal Range Alliance, is also urging ministers to consider the benefits.

He said: “The perception of tidal range schemes is seriously out-dated.

"Wind and solar farms are great, but the country cannot rely on the sun shining and the wind blowing day in, day out.

"Up-to-date construction methods and innovative turbine technology have reduced costs and boosted the amount of energy generated simply by capturing the changing tides."

The Wyre Gateway scheme would be 10m wide and 370m long, housing eight 27ft turbines, four sluice gates and two locks at the mouth of the River Wyre, and would also create a lagoon which could be used for leisure purposes.

Bob Long, CEO of Natural Energy Wyre, said: “If approved by the Secretary of State, this will be Britain’s first tidal generated hydro power plant, creating thousands of jobs and attracting up to 500,000 tourists a year.

"Given the amount of tidal energy available on the west coast, we must capitalise on this natural resource.

“Millions of pounds have been spent by government recently protecting coastal defences locally without protecting the flood plain next to the River Wyre, and without a tidal gateway as we are proposing, that money will have been wasted.”

Several schemes across the UK are being proposed.

As well as the one at Fleetwood there are large renewable energy projects proposed for Somerset, North Wales, Liverpool and Cumbria.