A senior government minister has agreed to meet Cumbrian MPs to discuss proposals for a £10 billion scheme to deliver renewable energy.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho agreed to meet MPs over plans for a tidal barrage scheme across Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary.
The Northern Tidal Power Gateways project has put forward plans to build tidal range power barrages that could generate emission free power for 100 years and protect fragile ecologies from the threat of rising sea levels.
The Morecambe Bay and Duddon project would deliver eight million megawatt hours of predictable, emission-free power annually, enough for two million homes, and create more than 12,000 new jobs, it is said.
It could also see a road bridge link built between Morecambe Bay and the South Cumbrian coast.
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron said in Parliament: “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.”
The Government announced in March over £1 billion worth of funding for renewable energy schemes in allocation round six (AR6) which included £105 million for emerging technologies.
In response Ms Coutinho said: “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 – 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.”
On the cabinet minister agreeing for a meeting, MP for Barrow and Furness, Simon Fell, said: “It’s really welcome. I discussed this issue with the energy secretary just before Easter and it’s important that as Cumbrian MPs we continue to keep the pressure up.”
