Weekly Intelligence Brief

Work on a pilot project gets underway

11 November 2009

It has emerged that work is underway on a pilot project, which would see a “revolutionary new way of harnessing tidal power tested off the coast between Colwyn Bay and Rhyl”.

According to a report filed by The North Wales Weekly News, the scheme differs widely from that proposed for a Severn Barrage.

Clwyd Offshore Tidal Energy, an entity which promotes and supports the development of an offshore tidal energy facility, indicated that this would be only the second such scheme in the world.

Clwyd Offshore Tidal Energy’s spokesperson Peter Caldwell mentioned that a similar project is at present underway in Korea, and “the technology involved has been used on other projects not connected with tidal power but bringing it together for a scheme like this would be unique.”

It has been reported that the project would involve the building of a wall in deep water offshore, possibly between Rhos Point and Penmaenhead, which would house turbines powered by the rise and fall of the tide.