Green marine firm joins River Wyre tidal project

A marine renewables firm is to help develop a ‘pathfinder’ tidal project in the UK. Atlantis has announced it will partner with Natural Energy Wyre (NEW) to develop the River Wyre tidal project, which is planned […]

A marine renewables firm is to help develop a ‘pathfinder’ tidal project in the UK.

Atlantis has announced it will partner with Natural Energy Wyre (NEW) to develop the River Wyre tidal project, which is planned to be built between Fleetwood and Knott’s End on the Lancashire coast.

The partnership follows a recent government review of the potential for tidal lagoon power, which concluded proceeding with a ‘pathfinder’ test project was needed to develop the potentially important technology in the UK.

The 160MW tidal power plant will be capable of producing around 400GWh of zero-carbon electricity each year and has the added benefit of providing flood protection to the local area.

NEW says the way the project is designed to mimic actual tidal cycles will result in minimal environmental disruption.

Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis, said: “The Wyre project is an opportunity to develop an extremely cost effective tidal range project which represents excellent value for the consumer. The geography of the river means that only a relatively small impoundment is required for the power output produced.

“This makes Wyre a very cost effective way to test the concept of tidal range power. Its location also offers the chance to offer multiple benefits to the local community and surrounding area through economic stimulus and habitat preservation.”

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) recently outlined the steps needed to accelerate tidal stream energy.

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