Tidal power should be explored – it could generate up to 20% of our electricity
Neil Carmichael visits La Rance tidal barrage
David Cameron commits the next Conservative Government to making research and development in tidal power a priority
NEIL CARMICHAEL, Parliamentary Candidate for Stroud, recently visited the La Rance tidal power barrage near St Malo in Brittany, France. Just like Ossie Goring of Water Power Engineering at Coaley Mill who has also visited La Rance, he was impressed with the engineering structure, output of 240 MW of electricity and ecological balance in the estuary.
The barrage at La Rance was completed in 1966. It has twenty four reversible water turbines producing almost 600 million kWh annually for some 300 000 inhabitants. The barrage also comprises of a fully functioning lock capable of coping with a fall of 13 metres and acts as a bridge for up to 35 000 vehicles daily, linking St Malo to Dinard.
Neil Carmichael commented, “We have two massive challenges with energy. One is the need to protect supply and the other is to protect the environment. Both of these can be partly addressed by making use of tidal power. The barrage at La Rance is now over forty years old but remains a good example of tidal power generation.
“Britain is now the world leader in marine renewable technology. We should be further developing and investing in new technologies but, alas, Labour is stalling through indecision and lack of commitment. Instead, for example, we need to see more concerted action through the Marine Deployment Renewables Fund.
Neil added, “As David Cameron has indicated, Conservatives will be pressing to force ‘clean, green, marine energy’. Britain has a great opportunity to become a world class supplier of technology, and less dependent on unsecure and dirty fossil fuels.
“Now is the time act. We need to find environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to harness tidal power before it is too late.”
