Peel Energy, NWDA Select Mersey Estuary Site for Tidal Power Project

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) and the Peel Energy partnership have selected the Mersey Estuary site located between Eastham and New Ferry for its Mersey Tidal Power development.

The partnership has put forth three choices for the project, which include one impounding barrage and two low head barrage proposals. The largest of the three proposals is anticipated to produce 900m units of power every year. Once a proposal gets approval, the next step involves detailed planning. The project is anticipated for operation by 2020.

The officials are now discussing with the residents of Eastham and New Ferry in Wirral and Garston and Dingle in Liverpool to convey their opinions about the tidal project.

The tidal range at Mersey Estuary can attain up to 10 m during spring tides, which is UK’s second highest tidal range. This is the ideal scenario to host a tidal power production facility. NWDA’s director of energy and environment Mark Atherton hopes that the project could improve the local economy and reduce CO₂ emissions.