Atlantis Resources teams up Natural Energy Wire to develop tidal lagoon project

Atlantis Resources, a developer of marine renewables, has partnered with Natural Energy Wire (NEW) to develop a tidal project in Lancashire, on the heels of a government review on the use of tidal lagoon power in Britain.

The companies have teamed up to develop the the Wyre tidal project which is to be built between Fleetwood and Knott's End on the Lancashire coast.

The government's recent review of the potential for tidal lagoon power led by Charles Hendry, a former minister for energy, found that going ahead with a "pathfinder" project as well as other smaller projects would be important in harnessing tidal power around Britain's shores.

Atlantis said that the Wyre project, which has been under development for several years, is consistent with this objective, as it comprises of a 160 megawatt tidal power plant capable of producing up to 400 gigawatt-hours of carbon free power each year, along with flood protection.

The Wyre project mimics tidal cycles, which should mean minimal disruption to the environmental and has been spearheaded by Bob Long, NEW’s managing director with the design of the project coming from a collaboration with energy companies such as Mott Macdonald, BAM Nuttall, Arcadis and Andritz Hydro.

Atlantis Energy will work with NEW, building on the recently announced partnership with French floating offshore wind foundation developer Ideol, to develop a large-scale demonstration project in Britain.

Long said: "I am passionate about the Wyre project and am committed to seeing it delivered for the greater economic good of the region. This is not just a low cost renewable energy project. This is a project that will provide flood protection to an area which will be increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels. It is a project that offers huge opportunity for the regeneration of Fleetwood and the surrounding area and a chance to enhance the recovery of a previously seriously contaminated estuary."

Atlantis chief executive Tim Cornelius said: "The geography of the Wyre means that only a relatively small impoundment is required for the power output produced. This makes Wyre a very cost effective way to test the concepts of tidal range power.

"I believe our proven track record of development means that, together with NEW, we can bring this project to reality very quickly. This project is absolutely in line with Charles Hendry's recommendations to build momentum in this new industry and with the Secretary of State's ambition for affordable, reliable energy supply with a strong domestic supply chain focus. It also fits well with the government's stated Northern powerhouse strategy as well as contributing to the development and regeneration of our towns and cities."

Shares in Atlantis Resources were up 1.1% to 58.13p at 0822 GMT.