Nov 1 2010
by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post
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A PROPOSED new pier in a Merseyside coastal town could be used to test tidal power technology on the Mersey, according to a report to be presented to Wirral Council.
Over the last four years Peel Energy has been looking at the possibility of generating energy from tidal power in the Mersey.
The company is due to give a presentation to Wirral Council’s ruling cabinet on Thursday on how the project is developing.
The report to Wirral Council’s ruling cabinet said: “Peel Energy intend to submit a planning application for the finalised Mersey Tidal Scheme in early 2012.”
The report said council officers and Neptune Developments who are currently part way through the redevelopment of New Brighton have met with Peel Energy to discuss how they might work together.
The meeting was to brief Peel on the New Brighton Regeneration proposals “and the linkages it has to the NWDA supported New Brighton Pier Feasibility Study completed in 2009 including the potential for the pier to be used as a test facility for tidal energy technologies”.
Peel has so far been examining the different technologies available to generate renewable energy and see if the scheme is viable. A large scheme has the potential to meet the electricity needs of up to 260,000 homes.
Wirral Council’s interim director of corporate resources, Kevin Adderley, said the meeting with Peel and Neptune had been to see if, depending on what technology is selected, the pier could play a role in its development.
Plans for a pier in New Brighton have been discussed since Neptune’s regeneration of the town were first proposed, but funding has been a major stumbling block.
A recent feasibility study suggested the pier had potential but a large amount of public funding would be required, and this is in short supply.
However, Anthony Hatton, development director for Peel Energy, played down the possibility the pier would play a role in the tidal power project but said some of the technology they have considered might be of use.
He said Wirral Council had approached them about the possible use of the pier and added: “We’re looking at a whole river system, not necessarily compatible with a pier.”
In 2006 Peel Energy, in partnership with the NWDA, set out to explore the potential, the impacts and the implications of using the Mersey Estuary’s tides for renewable energy.
The study has been examining the technology options for a deeper water location, from approximately Tranmere/Rock Ferry to Dingle, and shallower water between Eastham Docks and Garston Dock.
Peel Energy said that within the next few weeks they should be able to give a shortlist of the potential schemes, with a preferred scheme selected by March 2011.
