The British Hydropower Association (BHA) is pleased to see Labour’s backing for tidal and marine energy in its energy plan released ahead of the General Election.
However, the body also said that there needs to be more clarity from both Labour and the Government on how they expect to either “unleash” or “aggressively explore” tidal energy, especially tidal range.
The BHA is calling for this clarity to be made apparent in both Conservative and Labour manifestos and pledges, with a commitment to developing a roadmap for the development of tidal range within the UK.
BHA CEO, Kate Gilmartin, said: “With 20GW of potential energy, tidal range is a no regrets opportunity for the UK’s energy sector.
“These intergenerational assets will give us 120+ years of timetabled energy generation and could form the long term cornerstone of a decarbonised grid, fit for the future.
“With the UK spending £117bn on imported energy in 2022, UK PLC can’t afford not to use our natural resources to maximise energy generation and meet the energy trilemma requirements of: Energy Security, Energy Sustainability and Energy Affordability.”