Fleetwood tidal power plan still looking for funding – but boosted by meeting with government minister. The man with a plan to turn the tide at Fleetwood into electricity says he has been buoyed by a meeting with the government over the future for hydropower schemes like his. Bob Long, managing director of Natural Energy Wyre (NEW), claims that the attitude of ministers towards tidal projects is “maturing”. But the Fleetwood-born businessman admits that finding the first wave of funding for a £400m barrage across the Wyre estuary is proving “somewhat difficult”, because governments have previously focused their attention on other sources of renewable energy. “The wind and solar industries enjoyed tremendous support during their early stages – all we are asking from government is for similar support, even at a lower level,” Bob says. He was amongst dozens of representatives of the hydropower sector who recently met the energy and clean growth minister, Claire Perry MP. Following the discussion, Bob believes Whitehall will no longer insist on marine energy matching the market price for wind power – something which he claims would have sunk his plan and the entire hydropower industry.
Blackpool Gazette 6th Nov 2018 read more »