Mersey tidal power plans

The Mersey river offers the best opportunity in the UK to create renewable energy by converting tidal power into electric energy.

Plans are being drawn up to harness the power of the 10 meter tidal difference in the Mersey river, which offers the best potential out of all rivers in Europe due to its location on the North-West coats of the UK and strong currents.

The new plans covers a 'tidal fence', which will span the entire river. At high tide the fence will be closed and the water trapped behind the fence. Power generation, estimated to be 2000 Megawatts of electricity or 15% of the North-West’s energy requirement, will be achieved by letting the water escape through a number of large turbines connected to the national grid.

Tidal fence is open and water flows into the Mersey.

Tidal fence is closed and water is lead out through turbines generating renewable energy.