the tide comes in for wave power?

"The coastline of the northwest of England has some of the highest tidal ranges in the world. Tapping into this free, continually renewed energy source could, according to recent research from the Department of Engineering at Liverpool University, provide us with around 50 percent of our region's electricity needs", says Adrian Owens.

"Barrages on the Solway, Morecambe Bay, Mersey and Dee would also improve flood protection and allow commercial cultivation of increased areas of coastal land. Road and rail lines across such barrages, where appropriate, could promote the economic development of more remote areas affected by the loss of traditional industries.

The development of tidal technologies in our region has the potential to create many new jobs in manufacturing and engineering and make the northwest a world leader in this emerging area.

The tragedy is that the initial research and development into tidal power in the 1980s and early 1990s has stalled under this government, while France has had a successful tidal barrage operating for decades. Even now, a further assessment of a tidal barrage across the Severn ordered by the Government will take up to two years to report.

There is a need to complete outstanding research to minimise the remaining and understandable environmental concerns. However, as someone who aims to be a Member of Parliament in a Conservative Government following the next election, I see tidal power as a significant driver of the region's economy in the decades ahead."

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