Tidal power project a “game-changer” in climate fight, says Sefton MP

MP Bill Esterson is backing proposals to harness the force of the River Mersey to power one million homes in the Liverpool city region.

The Sefton Central MP says the “exciting” plans to create a tidal barrage or lagoon would be a “game-changer” in the battle against the climate crisis and in cutting harmful emissions which affect air quality and public health in the short term.

The multi-billion pound project would create thousands of jobs and secure a renewable energy source for Merseyside for the next 100 years.

Mr Esterson attended a launch event where the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram announced plans for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to commit £2.5m for the next phase of the scheme following a year-long study.

Mr Esterson called on the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to back the plans to show he is “serious” about cutting the UK’s carbon emissions and fighting the climate crisis.

He said: “These are exciting plans which would be a game-changer for the generation of energy in the city and the battle against the climate crisis. They will also help improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from transport and energy production. The UK is not taking anywhere near enough action and is not showing the sense of urgency needed. So far all we have from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is his laundry list of very limited climate promises, which don’t add up to meaningful action. At present rate of progress it will be 2099 before we reach net zero. This is way off the government’s stated target of 2050. The Liverpool City Region is committed to net zero by 2040 and tidal energy would make a significant contribution to reaching the target. A tidal barrage or lagoon could provide clean, green energy for 100 years or more.

“We need to act now if we are to hold back rising global temperatures which threaten the very existence of the planet. Huge renewable energy projects like this are what are needed and the government must show its support. Boris Johnson must prove he is serious about cutting the UK’s carbon emissions and shows that he cares.”

A year-long study carried out by the Mersey Tidal Commission showed a strong case for the tidal project, with benefits including tackling potential future energy shortfalls, addressing the climate emergency, achieving zero carbon targets and supporting a more stable renewable energy mix.

Mr Esterson added: “In the next few decades millions of electric and hydrogen vehicles will come onto our roads and industries will continue to decarbonise, which means demand for electricity is set to double by 2050.

“Tidal power has a huge role to play in meeting this demand. It is predictable and reliable. Improvements in technology make the business case for this stronger than it has ever been. We can’t not do this.”

The report said previous concerns over local environmental impacts could be mitigated with variable turbine speeds.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “So far our work shows that Mersey Tidal Power could generate enough energy for up to 1 million homes, create thousands of jobs and make our region Britain’s renewable energy coast.

“Our unique geography makes us one of the only places in the UK where it is possible to generate massive quantities of predictable, renewable tidal electricity. With the right government support, we could be generating clean power by the end of the decade – a full ten years ahead of the city region’s zero carbon 2040 target.

“But this will require Boris Johnson to not only talk about ‘levelling up’ the North, but to step up and address the imbalance in how major projects are assessed and funded. We know that Mersey Tidal Power has the potential to provide energy for well over 100 years, but the government’s current formula does not take that into account, instead using a 35 year timescale.

“So today, I’m calling on government to look seriously at our project and help us make this a reality. Not only will it help to make Britain a worldwide technological leader, but also a global leader in tackling the climate emergency.”

Both a tidal barrage and tidal lagoon will be considered. A barrage would be a dam-like structure which captures energy from the masses of water moving in and out of Liverpool Bay.

A lagoon would generate electricity from the natural rise and fall of the tides. Lagoons work in a similar way to barrages by capturing a large volume of water behind a man-made structure which is then released to drive turbines and generate electricity, but lagoons are thought to be more considerate of the local environment.