Offshore Hydro

Tidal power provides a significant predictable and secure generation capacity, avoiding the costs of back-up.

Research into tidal and wave technologies is proceeding at a number of sites around the British Isles. There are two types of energy systems that can be used to extract energy; the moving water of rivers, tides and open ocean currents; and energy from the difference in head between high and low tides.

The impoundment method of extracting tidal energy involves building a barrage, which traps water levels inside a basin, creating a tidal lagoon. The head is created when the water level outside of the basin or lagoon changes relative to the water level inside and this is used todrive turbines.

A proposal for the Severn Barrage, if built, has been projected to save 18 million tonnes of coal per year of operation, thereby decreasing the output of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and will be capable of providing 5% of the UK’s generation needs.

This type of generation cannot be ignored if we are to meet 2020 targets and beyond, and the BHA supports and encourages the development of these schemes around the UK.

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