Solway study

A £100,000 feasibility study on harnessing tidal energy on the Solway Firth has been commissioned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (

),

and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (

).

The Solway Energy Gateway concept aims to extract energy from the area using a tidal range barrage between Bowness and Annan, along the former route of a rail viaduct.

Highlighted as a potential area for significant tidal energy capture, the location also has the advantage of a possible grid connection to the Chapelcross nuclear power station, which is currently being decommissioned.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive at the NWDA, said: ‘Increased renewable energy generation is clearly a major aim of the government’s energy and climate change policy. The NWDA is pleased to support this feasibility study, which will provide an important stimulus to the concept of tidal power in England’s north west.

‘The Solway Energy Gateway has the potential to not only provide renewable energy for generations to come; it will also provide significant economic benefits to the local communities, generating jobs and developing the area's tourism potential.’