Hunt for Mersey Tidal technical advisor and designer begins
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is looking to hire a team to tackle the next phase of work on the large renewable energy project that is predicted to be able to power up to a million homes and create thousands of jobs.
Mersey Tidal is a key part of the combined authority’s strategy to be net zero by 2040. It is set to be located either on the River Mersey or in Liverpool Bay.
LCR has spent two years doing technical work to understand what the project was capable of delivering, conduct initial energy and hydrodynamic modelling, perform cost analysis, engage the supply chain and develop funding models. It had appointed Arup, ABPmer, BECG and Grant Thornton to create an outline business case for the project as well.
A conceptual design for the scheme has also been developed. It is this design that LCR is hoping to add more detail to, including adding design and spatial requirements, materials and embedded carbon stats. The required work includes 3D modelling and the creation of a construction programme that outlines the costs required for the scheme.
“Delivering a tidal power scheme is a huge technical and engineering undertaking but with a huge prize at the end – the generation of clean, predictable, reliable energy for over 100 years,” said Mersey Tidal project director Martin Land.
“The specialist technical and design development work we are looking to commence will help us build on the work already done and enable us to better understand how we marry up inherent renewable power of the Mersey with the latest clean generation technology.”
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram shared why now was an important time to continue work on Mersey Tidal.
“Given the cost of living crisis we’re seeing from skyrocketing gas prices and the race against the clock we face to save our planet, there has never been a better time to develop and invest in new sources of clean, renewable energy,” he said.
“Mersey Tidal Power will be a project of international significance, whose success would have major implications for the global energy market… It would also create thousands of well-paid local jobs and apprenticeships in its construction and operation, as well as pioneering research opportunities,” he continued.
Rotheram said the authority would retain a public ownership stake in Mersey Tidal and would consider establishing a publicly owned energy company to sell the produced power.
“This would be another string to our impressive bow when it comes to green energy,” Rotheram said. “Alongside our existing strengths in wind and hydrogen power, I believe we have the potential to be the UK’s Renewable Energy Coast.”
Rotheram went on to explain how the project would be funded.
“We will put our money where our mouth is but we also need to secure investment from the private sector and, crucially, from government,” he said. “If levelling up is a serious proposition they should be looking to invest in cutting edge schemes like this.”
LCR aims to begin construction on Mersey Tidal in 2027.
Well good luck with their search, depending on where the barrage is allowed to operate, depending on best system efficiency for tidal and current flows, shipping movements, any nature or environmental concerns and access to the river banks. I do hope they can incorporate a roadway to make connections between Wirral and Liverpool much closer rather than at opposite ends of the Mersey. They should be able to recoup a good income from a toll and this could unite the LCR even more.
By Liverpolitis
Another headline grabbing mersey megaproject, always so much more likely to get headlines than the dull but necessary work of making sure Liverpool has a skilled workforce with high levels of disposable income.The more of these big projects you see the more obviously Liverpool’s leaders signal their despair. “With this big project we can transform the city…” they say, hopefully, knowing its rubbish.
By Anonymous
Don`t think this will be anything like Cardiff Bay barrage but will be generators sunk deep into the Mersey, any interference with shipping has to be avoided. As regards the previous suggestion of a roadway there are already 2 roadways in Liverpool ie the tunnels, if anywhere needs a roadway/causeway it should be across the Dee.
By Anonymous
Will it be similar to the River Rance scheme in France. This is a 750metre dam which forms a tidal power plant.
By Alan Carr
Hopefully this scheme sees fruition. I think a tram, cycle path and public footpath to connect both sides of Mersey would be great extra from this scheme.
By Chris
Cost would be in the BILLIONS. Not clear it would make a return, even at today’s energy prices. Government is not supporting this type of green power. Whole idea is bats.
LCR – why don’t you just help your councils get the basics right?
By Basics.
Agree would cost billions, as does nuclear, wind, solar etc. non would deliver a return without massive subsidies, as I intimate “one trick ponies” electrical energy only. End of life clean-ups will require more billions. Barrage’s after 120 years life span leave toll free highways linking isolated coastal communities also huge intertidal lakes etc for leisure activities. Not saying barrages are the total solution, but feel they should figure more in energy debate & subsidised funding. Slightly off topic: I was fortunate to meet up with a civil engineer in the 1960’s tasked with producing a feasibility report on a Severn Tidal Barrage scheme. Historical records revealed that in 1930’s in preparation for a post war German occupation of the UK the Severn Barrage was prioritised as a major project to supply energy….. Barry Wright.
By Barry Wright
Surely this must go deep sea Mersey estuary as it need but more rough waves than in the Mersey inlet to keep that propeller spinning fast enough to create waves to hit the wall and bounce back otherwise won’t work
By James Davidson
Next project should be have our own water supply build a sanitizer plant on north docks and take water from Mersey supplies plentyfull never heard of a river or sea drying up so no water shortage and we can sell it by the tankers load that will help for the cost of projects
By James Davidson