Kepler Energy pushes ahead with tidal energy fence project

Kepler Energy, the developer behind tidal energy fence project, is embarking on a funding round to take forward the project through development phase and planning process.

Subject to planning and financing, the 30 MW tidal energy fence project would be located in Bristol Channel, in the Aberthaw to Minehead stretch of water.

The project could be operational by 2020/21, and the worth of the 1 km long tidal fence project is estimated to be £143 million, Kepler Energy’s press release reads.

Peter Dixon, Chairman of Kepler Energy, said: “As our tidal technology can operate in lower velocity tidal waters, there is greater scope for its deployment in the UK and overseas.

“In addition, our levelised costs of production will be in the range of £100 to £130 per MW/h for utility scale production, so costs will be cheaper than lagoons and in time we will be cheaper than offshore wind generation.”

Dixon added that the economic benefits of the project would include the potential to mobilise the carbon fibre industry in the UK, as well as creating new and skilled jobs in Wales and West Country.

Kepler’s patented turbine technology consists of a stressed truss configuration Transverse Horizontal Axis Water Turbine.

The basic generating unit comprises two rotors with a central generator, with four supporting bearings and three foundation supports required.

The carbon fibre blades are configured so that the rotor doesn’t need supporting structure such as a central shaft, which leads to greater power efficiency and cheaper construction, according to Kepler Energy.

The turbine has been designed for resources in shallower, low tidal stream velocity flows.

Deployment of the tidal fence will be subject to detailed environment and technical assessments to ensure that it safely co-exists with marine life and other users of the sea.

According to Kepler Energy, it has shared its outline plans with a range of stakeholders including the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Welsh Government, The Crown Estate and Bristol City Council. The company said it would embark on a wider stakeholder consultation programme later this year.

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Image: Kepler Energy