Tidal energy project to link Cumbria and Scotland planned

Plans for a multi-million pound tidal energy project that would link the south west of Scotland with Cumbria have been drawn up.

The plans are part of a larger £12Bn project that would see the creation of similar structures built across six estuaries in the north west of England, including a new road across the Solway Firth creating a “tidal gateway” that would connect Dumfries and Galloway with Workington.

North West Energy Squared (NWE2) claim that the construction of the Solway barrage would create 6,000 jobs a year over a period of eight years, with 100 permanent jobs once complete.

The Company believe that another 3,000 jobs could be safeguarded by the creation of the gateway due to improved connectivity.

It is hoped the scheme will generate enough power for around 2.5 million homes.

NWE2 Chairman Alan Torevell said: “NWE2 chairman Alan Torevell said: “I can’t stress it too much – if we get this thing going, and I increasingly think we are going to, then we will be creating the first major combination of infrastructure and tidal energy production in the world.”

NEW2 envisage that after an initial two year period to complete preliminary studies, construction of the project would take a further seven years.

If sufficient funding can be secured, tidal gateways across the Dudden Estuary and Morecombe Bay would be included in the first phase of the project.

According to Mr Torevell, the entire £12Bn project could provide enough power for five million homes for 120 years.

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