The UK’s fledgling tidal energy sector may be waiting nervously to see whether the government will back plans for a major new tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay, but that is not stopping other developers moving forward with plans for new projects. Fair Head Tidal, a joint venture between Cork-based DP Energy and Belgium’s Bluepower NV, announced this week that it is moving forward with plans to submit a marine licence application this summer for its proposed 100MW tidal project off the coast of Northern Ireland. The Fair Head Tidal Energy Park is planned for a site off the coast of north Antrim, near Ballycastle, and would feature an array of subsea tidal turbines.
Business Green 9th Feb 2016 read more »
Ministers are set to launch a review of tidal power, with talks in deadlock over government support for a proposed £1bn tidal lagoon in Swansea. Officials from Decc, the energy department, will examine the potential for tidal energy across the UK in the review, which will be announced on Wednesday. The study will report by autumn and will consider the ideal scale for the industry, financing options and the impact on industrial supply chains. The government has expressed enthusiasm about the plans for the tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay – the first such scheme in the country – but ministers have baulked at the subsidy sought by the company building it.
FT 9th Feb 2016 read more »