Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has rebooted the plans to develop a tidal energy project in the River Mersey.
Rotheram appointed the former UK Chair of Ørsted, previously known as Dong Energy, Brent Cheshire to spearhead plans to harness the power of the River Mersey.
His initial task over the next 12 months will be to establish the core business case for the multi-billion renewable energy project.
Rotheram said: “I am delighted that Brent has agreed to lead this project. It has been debated and discussed for over three decades. Devolution finally gives us the opportunity to deliver a project of this scale, and Brent provides us with the expertise, experience and leadership capability to turn vision into reality.”
River Mersey has been previously studied for tidal power developments. Peel Energy and The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) conducted a feasibility study for a tidal power scheme in the Mersey Estuary in 2011.
A barrage across the river between New Ferry in Wirral and Dingle in Liverpool was identified as a preferred solution that would deliver enough electricity to meet the average needs of over 200,000 homes, but the plans were abandoned due to high construction costs at the time.
Cheshire said: “I am pleased to accept the Steve’s invitation to head up the Special Purpose Vehicle that will take this project forward. This is a hugely exciting and ambitious vision with the potential to impact massively on the City Region’s long-term economic prospects.”