MP secures meeting with Energy Secretary over Morecambe Bay tidal scheme

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, agreed to meet with South Lakes MP Tim Farron over plans for a tidal scheme at Morecambe Bay.

The Northern Tidal Power Gateways project has put forward plans to build tidal range power barrages across Morecambe Bay and the Duddon estuaries that could generate emission free power for 100 years and protect fragile ecologies from the threat of rising sea levels.

The £10billion Morecambe Bay and Duddon project will deliver eight million megawatt hours of predictable, emission-free power annually, enough for two million homes, and create more than 12,000 new jobs.

Speaking in Parliament, Tim said: “I'm sure the Secretary of State would agree with me that much of Britain's energy needs could be met offshore, and be generated offshore and alongside floating wind power we also have the opportunity to take advantage of tidal and marine power.

“I wonder if she recognises Britain as having the second largest tidal range in the world after Canada, and yet we use so little of it.

“And to put that right would she agree to meet with me and other colleagues in this House and the Northern Tidal Power Gateway to look at how we can gain green, renewable, secure British energy from Morecambe Bay?”

Responding, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Well, I thank the right honourable gentleman. I've been following, tidal power for many years, and he's right to point out that the UK has a strong record both on renewables and also an interesting geological landscape when it comes to new renewable technologies.

“So we have dedicated 105 million pounds - our  biggest ever budget - to flow in emerging technologies through AR6.

“But I'd be delighted to meet with him to discuss his work further.”