The British Hydropower Association is convenor of the Tidal Range Alliance (TRA).
“There are huge opportunities in tidal energy in this country, because of the nature of our tidal reach” said Mr Esterson at the fringe event, held at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday. “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 and that his select committee was keen to explore the opportunities and would take evidence and recommendations to the UK government.
“The truth is that we need these schemes across the country” added Mr Esterson. “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 percent of generation that is less certain.”
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.
“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” said Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association. “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.”
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