Atlantis Resources joins Wyre tidal project

Company will partner with Natural Energy Wire to develop the project which would be built between Fleetwood and Knott’s End on the Lancashire coast.

Tidal energy company Atlantis Resources is to partner with Natural Energy Wire (NEW) to develop the Wyre tidal project planned to be built between Fleetwood and Knott’s End on the Lancashire coast.

The Wyre project, which has been under development for several years, comprises of a 160MW tidal power plant capable of producing up to 400GWh a year, coupled with flood protection. The Wyre project mimics actual tidal cycles, which should result in minimal environmental disruption.

The origination of the Wyre project has been spearheaded by Bob Long, Managing Director of NEW, and the design of the project has been a collaboration of leading energy sector companies including Mott Macdonald, BAM Nuttall, Arcadis and Andritz Hydro.

Tim Cornelius, chief executive of Atlantis, said: “The Wyre project is an opportunity to develop an extremely cost effective tidal range project which represents excellent value for the consumer. 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; its location also offers the chance to offer multiple benefits to the local community and surrounding area through economic stimulus and habitat preservation.

“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.”

The project utilises an ‘electric bridge’ that will be constructed using Venturi Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT), from VerdErg Renewable Energy, a bi-directional device that is aligned across the estuary between the riverbanks.