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On March 7, 2024, Liverpool, UK announced plans to build the world’s largest tidal power generator on the River Mersey. The Mersey Tidal Power project would involve constructing a barrage connecting Liverpool and Wirral. If built, it would power over one million homes for more than 120 years.
The dam-like Mersey Tidal Power plant would be a barrier between the Irish Sea and a tidal basin. It would be fitted with turbines and tap into one of the UK’s largest tidal ranges to generate power with two-way generation.
The plant would connect Liverpool and the Wirral peninsula and could become a pedestrian and cycling link across the Mersey. It could also provide future flood defense.
The multibillion-pound project will be developed in 3 Phases and is about to enter the formal planning stage. It would create thousands of local construction jobs, but planning and permitting is expected to take a few years first.
When will the world’s largest tidal power generator in Liverpool be operational?
If all goes according to plan, the world’s largest tidal power plant project on the River Mersey is planned to be operational by early 2030 and will help Merseyside’s push to be Net Zero in emissions by 2040, and will feature 28 turbines each providing 25MW capacity, making them bigger than the largest offshore wind turbines
Tidal energy can be converted into electricity using specially engineered generators. During high tide, water flows into the tidal basin through a water turbine when the tide is higher than the basin. The turbine unit is directly connected to a generator and generates power.
The Mersey Tidal Power project is the UK’s first tidal barrage and would create thousands of jobs during construction and operation. The barrage option is also less expensive than a lagoon, requiring less material and lower levels of government support. It would also offer a pedestrian and cycle link between Liverpool and Wirral.
How many tidal power stations are around the world?
As of February 2024, there are nine tidal power plants in operation worldwide. As of November 2023, Canada has the fourth highest installed tidal power capacity in the world at 40 megawatts (MW). South Korea is the largest tidal power station in the world at 511 MW, followed by France at 246 MW and the United Kingdom at 139 MW. The first large-scale tidal power plant was built in France in the 1960s and is still in operation today.
What percentage of the world is powered by tidal energy?
According to a 2020 report, tidal energy accounts for about 1.5% of the world’s total installed electricity. It also accounts for 4.5% of the world’s total renewable energy capability and 7.5% of the world’s total hydro-power capacity.
Some speculate that tidal energy could supply at least 10% of the world’s energy consumption. However, researchers at Oregon State University say that only 0.2 percent of the ocean’s untapped wave energy could power the entire world.
Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy that is derived from the natural rise and fall of ocean tides and currents. It’s more efficient than wind or solar energy due to its relative density and produces no greenhouse gases or other waste. Thus, Liverpool plans to build World’s largest tidal power generator on the River Mersey as a push toward its clean energy goals. |
