Estuary barrages in the north-west could provide more than five per cent of the
electricity used by the UK, according to scientists.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool claim that four estuary barrages could provide half the power needed in the region.
The scientists, working with the Proudman Oceonographic Laboratory used computational modelling and found that 'ebb generation' was the most effective way of generating electricity.
This involves trapping water as the tide comes in and releasing it through turbines as the tide recedes.
Professor Richard Burrows, of the university's department of engineering said: "With concerns mounting over the UK’s future energy provision it will soon become paramount that all sources of renewable energy are fully developed. Unlike the wind, tides are absolutely predictable. The geographical location of the UK, and the seas that surround it, provide a great platform for marine renewable sources."
The UK has committed to generating 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
As well as our numerous wind farms, we are also developing wave and tidal projects.
We announced in March 2007 the development of a tidal stream project off the west coast of the UK.
