The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority report, seen by the LDRS, outlines various plans for a potential tidal barrage project, which could be built across the Mersey, a long-term vision that is considered crucial to reducing carbon emissions across Merseyside. If it goes ahead, the multi-billion project is expected to power one million homes and create thousands of jobs.
The combined authority hopes to have the project delivered by 2040 to operate for 120 years alongside four new offshore wind developments expected to be up and running by 2030 – although this will require substantial government backing.
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The report published in October said the project would be “a first of a kind project in the UK, and involve constructing a barrage with turbines, sluices and marine navigation locks in the Mersey.
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The report adds, “A tidal project on the Mersey will create a major new piece of infrastructure – linking the left and right bank (Wirral and Liverpool) – with the potential to provide more clean energy, provide protection against inevitable sea level rise and can be deployed to help create and enhance natural habitats. This will require assessment and agreed mitigation plans.”
The report said the tidal range turbines proposed would have the capacity to generate 25 megawatts each with 28 turbines. The turbines will generate electricity by turning as the tide goes out and comes back in though sluice gates would also be used to let water quickly pass through the barrage if needed.