Ecotricity logotype
/Our news/2016/Ecotricity set to launch tidal energy bid

Our news

    Browse archives
    Our news

    Ecotricity set to launch tidal energy bid

    Press enquiries

    If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact our Press Office by email at pressoffice@ecotricity.co.uk

    For all other general enquiries, please call 01453 756 111 or email home@ecotricity.co.uk.

    By Maya Maloney
    25 Feb 2016
    Ecotricity set to launch tidal energy bid - Image 2

    Britain’s leading green energy company today welcomed the Government’s review of tidal lagoon energy – and announced that it is ready to take part in the review and to compete to build the first tidal lagoon energy site in Britain.

    The company, which will release details of its plans later this year, believes it can build tidal lagoon energy sites in Britain for almost half the price currently proposed for Swansea Bay. 

    Ecotricity has recently written to the Department of Energy and Climate Change urging the Government to take its time and look more closely at the cost of tidal energy – and the company believes the Government is right to announce a review to ensure value for money from the fledgling industry.

    Ecotricity founder, Dale Vince, said: “The Government has been agonising for a while about what level of support to give to the first tidal project in Britain. They’re clearly interested in the technology, which is a good thing, but they’ve been put off by the price tag of £168/MWh proposed by Swansea Bay – that’s understandable.

    “We welcome the review, because we’re confident that tidal power projects can be built around Britain at much closer to £90/MWh - that’s the same price the Government are paying to support nuclear energy, but without the risks or clean-up costs.”

    The Government’s independent review of tidal energy in Britain will commence in the spring, in collaboration with DECC and the HMT.

    Dale continued: “We were concerned that the Government were being pushed into paying too high a price for tidal energy through the Swansea Bay scheme – that would be bad for renewable energy generally because it would reinforce the myth that green energy is expensive, and bad for tidal power specifically because it may never get off the ground.

    “We’re hoping this review will lead to the Government supporting tidal energy in Britain and doing it in a way that will enable competition, and through that value for money – enabling tidal mills to achieve their true potential in Britain.”

    Similar articles

    Stroud Women’s Refuge

    Ecotricity are proud to support Stroud Women’s Refuge as part of our Vulnerability Commitment. Stroud Women’s Refuge are a small charity based in Stroud who help women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

    More
    Manifesto book with long shadow

    Get the book!

    Manifesto out now

    Shop
    Dale Vince portrait with bandana

    DaleVince.com

    Our founder Dale Vince shares his thoughts on the green revolution

    Explore the site

    Don’t just take our word for it…

    Ecotricity is recommended by
    Ethical Consumer Best Buy logo
    • Our story
    • Our mission
    • Our manifesto
    • 29 years of Ecotricity
    • Ecotricity innovation
    • Walking the talk
    • Our partners
    • Our news
    Ecotricity logotype

    Climate Clock

    The Climate Clock is a version of the Doomsday clock that has been running since 1947 - this tracks the risk of global man-made disaster, through man made technology (like nuclear weapons) - displaying the minutes and seconds left before midnight, when disaster strikes. The climate crisis is a small part of the calculations made.
    The climate clock uses a similar approach, but, focuses only on the climate crisis - which is the biggest and most urgent existential threat we face.
    "The Climate Clock is a countdown to the biggest man-made disaster we face - but also a measure by which we can track our progress - moving from fossil to renewable energy. It shows we have no time to lose - the clock is ticking…" Dale Vince, OBE.