The city government of Liverpool has just announced advanced proposals for its planned tidal power generator project on the River Mersey, potentially advancing to be the largest of its kind in the world.
About the Mersey Tidal Power
According to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Mersey Tidal Power would become the world’s “largest tidal power scheme” and the UK’s first of its kind tidal barrage.
It is expected to power over 1 million households for more than 120 years, generating thousands of jobs from the construction to the operation phase of the project.
The dam-like tidal barrage would reportedly serve as a border between the Irish Sea and a tidal basin. It will feature wind turbines to leverage one of the UK’s largest tidal ranges to yield energy with two-way generation.
It will also link Liverpool and the Wirral peninsula, paving the way for a potential pedestrian and cycling route throughout the Mersey. In addition, it can also serve as a flood defence in the future.
Proposal progress
This multibillion-pound Mersey Tidal Power project is already in Phase 3 concept development. Therefore, the next step for the project to gain the necessary approval would be the formal planning stage, which may take a few years before starting construction.
“We are under no illusions, we know there are still significant technical and financial challenges to overcome, but the plans we’ve unveiled … mark a huge step on our journey to bringing Mersey Tidal Power to life.”
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor
The project’s potential
The Liverpool City Region boasts one of the largest tidal ranges in the UK. It also has a long history of tidal power-related research initiatives.
Therefore, the proposed project allows the city to yield clean and renewable energy by leveraging tidal power, significantly accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels.
“With the right support, we could be generating clean, renewable power by the end of the decade, growing our local economy and safeguarding the future of our planet for generations to come.”
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor
Liverpool expects the Mersey Tidal Power project to aid in its goal of achieving net zero by 2040.
