A sense of foreboding hangs over our planet as climate change worsens and our very way of life is threatened by a continued dependence on unsustainable energy sources. With energy security compromised by the Russia-Ukraine War, we are at risk of reviving highly polluting fossil fuels to plug the gaps during peak demand and when the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining.  

Following a totally inadequate and retrograde energy policy refresh, the UK government must re-evaluate its approach and step up, thinking a little more imaginatively to tackle the problem without a continued reliance on gas and coal to deliver baseload electricity generation.  

Currently, on average only 40% of the UK’s energy comes from renewable sources. As of yet, none have baseload capabilities.

If, and it is an ever-increasing if, the intention of our Net Zero 2050 goal still stands, then we will need to adopt a far more diverse perspective regarding our green energy infrastructure.

This means we must start giving serious consideration to a large, missing piece of the renewable jigsaw: tidal, or more specifically, tidal range.

The government needs to do more for tidal

I often feel that our government, in its ambition to be all things to all people, is treading a path to ultimate destruction. To put the current situation in context, in the UK, the average land temperature has risen by more than one-degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels, while sea levels are increasing, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. That might sound modest, but it is actually seismic.  

To date, the government has been a keen proponent of solar and wind energy, as they are two well-established renewable energy sources, superficially representing a ‘safe’ investment. But as intermittent sources of energy they cannot replace gas and coal or mimic the way they operate as they are consistently being adjusted according to unpredictable external factors.

However, there is no concrete mention of tidal range energy in previous strategies nor in the latest strategy. As tidal is technically the only baseload renewable resource on the planet, I and many others feel this is a glaring 24/7 baseload opportunity.  

With demand for electricity growing and supply dwindling, for the sake of our already fragile environment, the UK’s economy and consumer utility bills, we must commit to investing in this woefully underexplored renewable source now, before it is too late.  

The UK’s tidal range potential

Unfortunately, the government has not fully considered tidal range energy a major renewable proposition. This is massively short-sighted given the UK has some of the best tidal ranges in the world, found along the coastline of Wales and the Northwest of England. Essentially, we are surrounded by one of our world's most robust forces yet remain apprehensive when it comes to investing in it. I believe they are missing a trick, especially in the context of overcoming the current energy crisis.  

Unlike wind and solar, tidal energy is not intermittent as our seas provide a reliable and continuous source of energy with the rising and falling tides. If manipulated correctly, this force of nature can generate energy perpetually and store it, because water is nature’s battery. So, all we need to do is provide a credible plan and install the facilities to capture it.  

It is a goal I and my team at TPGen24 have spent a decade trying to achieve, and our latest calculations show that a turbine-stacked, sluiced, hybrid multi-lagoon and tank system, positioned in the best tidal ranges can generate green energy 24/7, 365 days a year. Even better, it can also achieve baseload, meaning we can finally transition away from gas and coal, then, eventually, lower carbon resources such as nuclear and biomass.  

Winning hearts and minds

A 24/7 renewable is a game changer, but some people, particularly at the highest levels of energy policy, need convincing.  

For those who argue that tidal range energy is too expensive or that it will take too long to build a plant, I encourage you to consider the alternatives before making a final judgement.  

We only have to look at the rising price and delayed timeframe of the already £23bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to see that even tried and tested systems can come at a high price. Then, if we think about the potential output of three large Power Islands – enough to power around 6mn homes, the costs could be similar to that of a nuclear power station without the headache of the waste management associated with it.

Rejuvenating coastal areas

There are also more socioeconomic benefits to tidal power construction, providing a wealth of opportunities for workers and businesses across the country. New projects could offer employment across industries ranging from construction and civil engineering to beachside hospitality and leisure, supporting the UK economy whilst helping to secure a sustainable future.  

Furthermore, investment into struggling coastal communities will mean more jobs and economic revival in some of the country’s poorest districts. As well as providing societal benefits, an increased investment could help establish the UK as a leader in renewable tidal energy.  

I believe tidal is our last great untapped resource which deserves a seat at the policy table, and it needs to be given a place now. Ultimately, water is nature’s battery, and the sooner we realise its full potential as a power source, the sooner we can dig ourselves out of this seemingly perpetual fossil fuel era in which we find ourselves trapped today. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.