Mersey Tidal Power Project (Tidal Lagoon — planning)
River Mersey, Liverpool City Region, England · Planning/Development Phase (Projected operational date not yet firm, but aiming for over 120 years of operation once built) [1] · Not yet finalized, but previous estimates for similar projects have been in the billions (e.g., £3.5bn mentioned in a YouTube video about the project). [2]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project aims to harness predictable tidal energy to provide clean, green electricity and contribute to the UK's decarbonization goals. It also has the potential to provide flood protection and create new public amenities. [3] [4]
Key engineering challenges
Designing and constructing a large-scale tidal range project across the River Mersey. [4] - Integrating the tidal power generation into the national grid. [3] - Managing the environmental impact on the Mersey estuary ecosystem. [4] - Securing significant government backing and financial frameworks for such a large infrastructure project. [5]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Lead contractor
- Not yet appointed (project in planning phase)
- Lead designers
- Not yet appointed (project in planning phase)
- Project type
- new build (planning)
- Scale
- Proposed 700 MW capacity; 28 turbines; could power every home in the city region for over a hundred years. [3] [4]
- Disciplines
- civil; marine; electrical; environmental; hydraulic; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- National Infrastructure Planning, UK environmental regulations.
Sources: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: Mersey Tidal Power (https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/its-time-for-tidal) [1] - YouTube: Why Liverpool's £3.5bn Tidal Energy Project Matters. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlZeLTKPM38) [2] - Offshore Energy: Mersey tidal power project moves forward with cooperation extension (https://www.offshore-energy.biz/mersey-tidal-power-project-moves-forward-with-cooperation-extension/) [3] - Solar Power Portal: Mersey Tidal Power scheme hits planning milestones (https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/utility-scale-solar/-world-s-largest-tidal-power-scheme-hits-planning-milestones) [4] - New Civil Engineer: Mersey Tidal timeline delayed two years as Liverpool seeks government support (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/mersey-tidal-timeline-delayed-two-years-as-liverpool-seeks-government-support-20-01-2026/) [5]