Conwy tidal scheme plans gain council support
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Proposals put forward by UK consultancy Capita Symonds for a pilot tidal-energy scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales have gained support in principle from Conwy County Borough Council.
The purpose of the £150m Tidal Energy Storage And Release (TESAR) scheme would be to provide a test-bed facility for turbine designers and manufacturers developing a new generation of ’low head’ turbines, while also assessing their impact on the environment.
The company said that such a project would encourage innovation, inform debate and enable key decisions to be made about the role of tidal power in providing a low-carbon, renewable, secure and predictable source of electricity.
The project, which would take six years to design and build, would be able to harness the power of the tide to generate some 600MWh of electricity per annum.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: ’The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable bathymetry (ocean depth). The project could also play a vital role in protecting vulnerable communities from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion as a result of climate change.’
Capita Symonds now plans to source funding for feasibility studies to develop a business case for the scheme.
