Pre-release proposition

Question 1

Proposed tidal project for Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary, North West England

One barrage across Morecambe Bay
One barrage across Duddon Estuary

Answer 1

Northern Tidal Power Gateways NTPG proposes a £10 billion tidal barrage across Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary
-generate electricity clanly for 100yrs
-provide transport link between Lancashire and lake district

-generate enough energy for up to 2million homes
-13,000 jobs and opportunities for local businesses
-each barrage will have navigation locks to allow boats through
-“fish passes” for local marine life

A local politician supporting the scheme said ” The Uk has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, yet we use so little of it. We have huge, untapped tidal energy potential and this scheme could provide reliable energy for years to come, as well as providing a significant economic boost to the area.”

POTENTIAL CONCERNS
-the cost of the project
-the environmental impact on one of the most important mudflats and salt marshes in the UK

Question 2

Worth a trip

Answer 2

-important physical environment = largest area of tidal mudflats in the UK
-views have inspired poets, painters, bird watchers
-local seafood can be enjoyed in local restaurants
-sandy beaches and historical sites
-hiking and cycling trails

-Morecambe Bay’s unique ecosystem is a protected environment, designated wetland area and internationally important for range of wildlife
-breeding ground for wading birds, geese and ducks
-birds can be seen at the local RSPB reserve

Question 3

Facts and Figures

Answer 3

-£10 billion project
-130 turbines will generate enough electricity for 2 million homes
-road crossings will reduce journey times from North Lancashire to West Cumbria by 75%
-9 million crossings annually
-save 750,000L of fuel annually
-cost savings of £200 million for local people and businesses
-provide routes for power and comm cables
-13,000 jobs
-NTPG will work with the environmental protection agencies to ensure development is monitored and environment protected

PROJECTED EFFECTS
Saving £250 million yearly by improving transport links
saving £370 million yearly by generating emission-free energy
Generate £20 billion over 20 yrs
£400 million yearly from economic growth
£100 million a year saved by preventing future flooding and storm damage

Question 4

WHY don’t we use tidal energy more?

Answer 4

-it is more predictable than wind or solar
-more powerful and generates more than wind energy

HIGH COSTS: 10X more than onshore wind farms
= complex engineering and machinery maintenance that can survive in salt water is expensive
= cost of dealing with environmental issues some of which are not fully understood yet

Question 5

Energy trilemma

Answer 5

Environmental sustainability
Affordability
Energy security

Question 6

Against

Answer 6

-will take 25yrs to build and existing infrastructure will be under pressure
-£10 billion is better spent on roads and rail networks instead = quicker
-it may increase the already overcrowded summer tourist areas in Cumbria making the economic situation in Barrow-in-Furness worse as people leave to work elsewhere
-Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary are areas of high biodiversity supporting a range of species including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
-the environment provides benefits inc fishing, tourism and shipping to locals and visitors
= tidal power has great potential to generate large amounts of renewable energy BUT carries significant risk to sensitive environments
=large numbers of marine and bird life will be disrupted during construction and usage
=effect seabed and wildlife habitats

Morecambe Bay is an important site internationally for its wintering wildfowl and waders, birds arrive form the N hemisphere to spend the winter = we could build new habitats but this increases the already high costs

Question 7

For

Answer 7

=could be an example of tidal energy for other parts of the country

=generate large amounts of energy

=bring skills-based training and employment to Barrow-in-Furness a town that struggles with high levels of poverty and ill health with young people moving away for better job prospects

=will help protect against the effects of climate change by reducing tidal surges and flood risks

-130 turbines will generate enough electricity for 2 million homes
-road crossings will reduce journey times from North Lancashire to West Cumbria by 75%
-9 million crossings annually
-save 750,000L of fuel annually
-cost savings of £200 million for local people and businesses
-provide routes for power and comm cables
-13,000 jobs