MP makes cases for Morecambe Bay tidal barrage scheme in Parliament

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, South Lakes MP Tim Farron asked the Climate Minister to look at the long-running campaign for a tidal barrage across the Morecambe Bay to generate renewable energy.

Speaking during Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions in Parliament, Tim said: "The United Kingdom has the highest tidal range on the planet after Canada, yet we use so very little of it, especially when we consider that a massive majority of the supply chain for marine, tidal and hydro is British. There are so many jobs to be made out of all this.

"Will the Minister look particularly at the potential for tidal energy in Morecambe Bay? I know that his honourable Friends on both sides of the bay agree with me on this, so will he meet with me and others who are in favour of getting green energy out of Morecambe Bay to see whether we can take this forward?

In response, the Minister for Climate, Graham Stuart MP said: "We are seeing these technologies mature, and the honourable gentleman is right: tidal and floating offshore wind projects have won CfDs for the first time ever, which will help these industries grow and strengthen Britain's homegrown renewables sector.

"As he says, we have tremendous tidal potential in this country. He mentioned a site further north, but the Severn estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world, so if we can get it right, there is huge untapped potential."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "To be honest, I'm pretty disappointed with the minister's weak and non-committal reply.

"We desperately need to be acting now to get schemes like the Morecambe Bay tidal barrage up and running as soon as possible if we are to create green jobs, put a lid on rising energy bills and tackle climate change."