News

SOLWAY ENERGY GATEWAY STUDY WELCOMED

ECONOMIC development agency Cumbria Vision has welcomed the publication of a feasibility study on the potential for renewable energy generation across the Solway Firth.

The Solway Firth Energy Feasibility Study has identified options for four tidal barrages, two lagoons and three tidal reefs, which could generate between 100MW to 6GW of energy. Any development would result in significant investment and job creation in West Cumbria, while providing enough green energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes. It could also create an important transport link between north east Cumbria and southern Scotland, bringing wider economic benefits to both sides of the Solway Firth.

For background information from the original press release issued by the Northwest Regional Development Agency click on the below PDF.

  NWDA PR: Solway Study Results 03-02-2010

The Solway Estuary is the second most powerful estuary in Britain after the Severn Estuary. Its massive potential was outlined in the recently published report, The Scope for renewable Energy in Cumbria**, written by former Government energy adviser and environmental scientist Sir Martin Holdgate on behalf of Cumbria Vision's Renewable Energy Panel.

Sir Martin identified the proposed Solway Energy Gateway and Bridge Across the Bay (Morecambe Bay) – located to the north and south of Britain’s Energy Coast™ – as having great potential to help Britain meet tough renewable and carbon reduction targets. However, he stressed the importance of striking a balance between energy generation and the need to protect Cumbria’s stunning natural environment.

Simon Sjenitzer, Strategy Director at Cumbria Vision – one of the partners behind the Britain’s Energy Coast™ initiative – said: “We now have a number of options on the table for this exciting project – the real challenge now lies in agreeing on the best way forward. The huge potential of a Solway Energy Gateway is obvious, but given the many environmental protections in place and the large scale costs of tidal development, it is essential we look to identify an option which is acceptable, achievable and can generate a substantial amount of green energy.”

“Tidal power has an important role to play in the Britain’s Energy Coast™ initiative and the wider push across Cumbria to become a significant generator in low carbon and renewable energy. It is important we replicate the national wish for an energy mix, and schemes such as the Solway Energy Gateway will help make a valuable contribution to the Government’s renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

The Solway Firth Energy Feasibility Study examined options for energy generation against technical, financial, environmental and socio-economic impacts. It can be downloaded at www.solwayenergygateway.co.uk .

The next step is to raise awareness of the potential for development within the market by presenting a report at the BWEA Wave and Tidal Conference on March 3-4. Developers and utility companies interested in the scheme can contact Nigel Catterson of nb21c on 07952 568062.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

** The Scope for Renewable Energy in Cumbria says Cumbria is poised to meet a third of its total energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, and double that by 2050. By 2050 the County could become a significant exporter of renewable energy with 5.5gigawatts** (5.5GW) of installed capacity, and meet the energy needs of over 300,000 people through a vibrant mix of wind, hydro, tidal, solar, geothermal and biomass. In turn this could create and safeguard in the region of 7,000 jobs and bring a significant boost to businesses and investors. The full study and its findings are available to download at the Renewable Energy section of www.cumbriavision.co.uk .

About Britain’s Energy Coast™
The Britain’s Energy Coast™ initiative aims to establish the boroughs of Copeland, Allerdale and Furness as major generators of low carbon and renewable energy, helping to transform the local economy while at the same time supporting Britain’s response to the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security. The initiative includes not only the construction of a least one new nuclear power station but also improvements in grid transmission, infrastructure, education, hospitals, skills and R&D and enterprise as well as the development of other renewable and low carbon energy sources. Together these developments will transform the West Cumbrian economy whilst providing clean sustainable energy for the UK. www.britainsenergycoast.com

1: For further information contact Cumbria Vision PR & Communications Manager Luke Dicicco on 07799035390 or email luke.dicicco@cumbriavision.co.uk .

2: Cumbria Vision is the organisation charged with leading the economic regeneration of Cumbria and is responsible for identifying clear priorities for investment; bringing together skills and higher paid jobs; promoting private sector investment and growth. www.cumbriavision.co.uk

3: Cumbria Vision is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: Supporting business growth and encouraging investment; Matching skills provision to employer needs; Creating the conditions for economic growth; Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. www.nwda.co.uk

4: Cumbria County Council is a founding partner of and the accountable body for Cumbria Vision. www.cumbria.gov.uk