UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
03/10/2007
South West Could Lead Tidal Power Revolution
South West England could lead the world in generating clean and secure electricity from the seas, according to a report.
The 'Tidal Power in the UK' report by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), was part funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) and was a year in the making. It concluded that around 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs could be met from harnessing the power of the tides.
The Severn Estuary is identified as having 80 per cent of the UK's tidal range resource, making South West England internationally significant for tidal energy.
Areas further out in the Bristol Channel and off Portland on the Dorset coast are identified as having important tidal current resources.
The SDC report lays out a series of recommendations for Government on how to develop the UK’s tidal power resources in a sustainable manner.
These include recommendations on the possible construction of a barrage across the Severn Estuary that would retain water on the rising tide and release it in a controlled fashion through hydro-electric turbines to generate up to five per cent of the UK's electricity needs. Numerous proposals for such a barrage have been developed over the years but as yet none have been taken forward.
Jonny Boston, Energy Manager of the South West RDA, said: "We welcome the SDC's report, and the contribution it makes to understanding the role that the tidal power could play in the development of a sustainable economy in the South West England. Marine energy is a priority area for the RDA, and we have provided some funding towards the study due to the unique tidal resources that exist around the coastline of our region."
Mr Boston added: "We have recently been given planning permission by Ministers to construct our Wave Hub project, which will create the world’s largest wave farm off the north coast of Cornwall, and we have just announced a £1.4 million investment in a new £15m marine renewables research institute based in Cornwall and Devon.
"Taken together, these projects reinforce South West England’s leading role in the development of marine energy."
(JM)
The 'Tidal Power in the UK' report by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), was part funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) and was a year in the making. It concluded that around 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs could be met from harnessing the power of the tides.
The Severn Estuary is identified as having 80 per cent of the UK's tidal range resource, making South West England internationally significant for tidal energy.
Areas further out in the Bristol Channel and off Portland on the Dorset coast are identified as having important tidal current resources.
-- Advertisement --
The SDC report lays out a series of recommendations for Government on how to develop the UK’s tidal power resources in a sustainable manner.
These include recommendations on the possible construction of a barrage across the Severn Estuary that would retain water on the rising tide and release it in a controlled fashion through hydro-electric turbines to generate up to five per cent of the UK's electricity needs. Numerous proposals for such a barrage have been developed over the years but as yet none have been taken forward.
Jonny Boston, Energy Manager of the South West RDA, said: "We welcome the SDC's report, and the contribution it makes to understanding the role that the tidal power could play in the development of a sustainable economy in the South West England. Marine energy is a priority area for the RDA, and we have provided some funding towards the study due to the unique tidal resources that exist around the coastline of our region."
Mr Boston added: "We have recently been given planning permission by Ministers to construct our Wave Hub project, which will create the world’s largest wave farm off the north coast of Cornwall, and we have just announced a £1.4 million investment in a new £15m marine renewables research institute based in Cornwall and Devon.
"Taken together, these projects reinforce South West England’s leading role in the development of marine energy."
(JM)
Latest Construction News
17/01/2025
Leeds Trinity University has officially opened its newly refurbished City Campus at 1 Trevelyan Square in Leeds.
Completed by GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, the transformation of the central Leeds site introduces state-of-the-art facilities designed to improve learning and collaborate with industry partn
17/01/2025
Trammell Crow Company (TCC) has secured planning permission for a Grade A logistics scheme in Heywood, Greater Manchester, following a successful planning appeal.
The development will feature two state-of-the-art industrial and logistics buildings. One building will house two units measuring 4,796
17/01/2025
Poole-based developer AJC Group has celebrated a record-breaking 2024, delivering 100 affordable homes, a significant increase from the 72 units completed in the previous year.
Since 2023, AJC Group has completed and handed over 172 affordable homes across five sites.
In 2024 alone, the developer
17/01/2025
Plans for one of the most ambitious parks projects in London have taken a significant step forward, with Haringey Council securing nearly two additional acres of land around The Paddock nature reserve in Tottenham Hale.
The agreement with Thames Water marks a major milestone in the transformation o
17/01/2025
Islington Council has unveiled two draft guidance documents aimed at helping residents, businesses, and developers combat climate change by making buildings more energy efficient and fostering a greener, healthier borough.
The consultation seeks feedback on the draft Climate Action Supplementary Pl
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled a £98 million investment plan over the next five years to develop around 500 new homes across the city.
The proposal, part of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, received Cabinet approval this week and now moves to Full Council for final
17/01/2025
Croydon Council has announced a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Purley Pool site, with revised proposals submitted for a new leisure centre, later living housing, and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
A planning application for the site was initially submitted in 2024, pro
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has announced that demolition work has commenced on the New Park Village estate, marking the start of a major £40 million redevelopment project to transform outdated council housing.
Contractor DSM Demolition has begun pulling down poor-quality bungalows on Valley
17/01/2025
Hillingdon Council has acquired 12 new homes at Carpenters Court in Uxbridge.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards and Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, visited the site to officially mark the handover of the properties from local developer Kearns Devel
17/01/2025
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show's 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design.
Established 26 years ago, th
