Huge opportunities lie ahead for tidal range technology to play a key part in the UK’s future energy mix.
That was the message delivered at a fringe event hosted by the British Hydropower Association, convenor of the Tidal Range Alliance (TRA) at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool.
Bill Esterson, MP, Chair of the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, told the event:“There are huge opportunities in tidal energy in this country, because of the nature of our tidal reach. We have 30 feet of tidal range out here on the Mersey and people of this region have been talking about this for much longer than I have been around, and it’s time. The time has come – absolutely.”
The Merseyside MP said the government was committed to a range of renewable energy sources.
“The truth is that we need these schemes across the country. Whilst wind and solar are going to be the backbone of our renewable electricity generation, there are gaps to fill and while we have nuclear, it’s pretty clear that we need other technologies. Tidal is entirely predictable. It fills that last 20% of generation that is less certain,” he added.
The Labour MP said his select committee was keen to explore the opportunities and would take evidence and recommendations to the UK government.
Just last week, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram announced a public consultation on a tidal scheme on the Mersey which has entered the formal planning process.
The event heard from a range of speakers, including Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association, Ioan Jenkins, chair of the TRA; and Charles Hendry, a former Conservative energy minister.
Mr Hendry, Author of ‘The Hendry Review’ into Tidal Range said the war in Ukraine had highlighted the need for “indigenous, home-grown power and nothing is more home grown than our tides with the second highest tidal range in the world.”
He also pointed out that tidal could provide the “elusive Brexit dividend” with the power to do more to drive down prices and focus on solely UK energy sources.
After the event, Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association, said: “We are thrilled that members here at Labour conference have shown such enthusiasm for Tidal Range, given our very high hopes for the progression of the world’s largest tidal scheme right here on the River Mersey.
“Tidal Range is a key part of the decarbonisation jigsaw for the UK, which can bring forward social value and affordable energy through local energy markets and smart flexible systems. It has the potential to circumvent one of the biggest barriers to decarbonising the grid – transmission constraints.
“We look forward to giving evidence to Mr Esterson’s committee and to persuading the government that the time for tidal is very much here and we urge ministers to ride the wave for this important, predictable, energy generation technology.”