Back Morecambe Bay tidal energy scheme to tackle rising bills, MP urges minister

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron challenged the Energy Minister to back a scheme to produce tidal energy on the Morecambe Bay.

The Northern Tidal Power Gateways project has put forward plans to build tidal range power barrages across Morecambe Bay and the Duddon estuaries that could generate emission free power for 100 years and protect fragile ecologies from the threat of rising sea levels.

The £10billion Morecambe Bay and Duddon project will deliver eight million megawatt hours of predictable, emission-free power annually, enough for two million homes, and create more than 12,000 new jobs.

Speaking during Energy Security and Net Zero Oral Questions in Parliament, Tim said: "Private sector investment in clean energy is vital, but does the Minister agree that one reason that the United Kingdom, despite having the highest tidal range on planet Earth after Canada, still uses so little of it, is a lack of public sector leadership?

"Areas such as Morecambe Bay, which could contribute to tidal energy, bringing down people's bills and protecting us against Putin, are something that we could move forward. Will the Minister agree to meet me and other MPs around the bay, so that we can bring forward plans to get the most out of our tidal energy?"

Responding, Graham Stuart said: "I am not an expert in the honourable gentleman's history on this topic, but I hope it has been consistently in favour of tidal energy, and therefore different from so many other areas of policy.

"I share his enthusiasm for the potential of tidal energy. That is why we are the world's leading nation in the deployment of tidal range, and why tidal power is eligible for the contracts for difference scheme.

"Notwithstanding so many issues, I would be happy to meet the honourable gentleman."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "This is the third time I've raised this issue directly with the minister in the House in the past nine months so I'm a bit perplexed by his response.

"Rather than trying to make cheap party political points, I'd much rather he showed leadership and backed the bid to set up a tidal energy scheme on Morecambe Bay so we can create jobs, support people with rising energy costs, and help tackle the climate emergency."