Isra-Mart srl: Tidal energy could power giant Thames Estuary airport

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A £5bn tidal energy scheme forms the centrepiece of hugely ambitious £50bn redevelopment plans for the Thames Estuary, which were unveiled yesterday by celebrated architect Norman Foster.

The Thames Hub project, designed by Foster + Partners and Halcrow, would see a barrage installed with in-stream tidal power arrays, new flood defences, and a total re-vamping of the region's transport infrastructure.

A new flood barrier 500 metre wide and 5km long would incorporate a hydropower array with the potential to produce up to 525GWh/year of energy.

The architects said this would be sufficient to supply 76,000 homes or meet demand at a giant new airport on the Isle of Grain, capable of handling 150 million passengers per annum and replacing Heathrow as the UK's main aviation hub.

As many as 1,000 extra 60-90kW turbines could also be fitted on the estuary bed or on floating pontoons, which along with the tidal array, could make use of the connecting infrastructure currently being installed for the London Array offshore wind farm.

The barrier would support a new road crossing and host conduits for high voltage
power, broadband fibre, and water distribution.

The scheme also includes a high-speed passenger and freight rail route running around London, which would link the airport to the planned high-speed rail line to the Midlands and the North, the Thames Estuary ports, and Europe via the Channel Tunnel.

The project could take 10 to 15 years to build and cost around £50bn, although the developers estimate the Orbital Rail route, the Thames Barrier, and the new Estuary Airport will deliver up to £150 billion in economic benefits.

The UK's creaking energy, transport and technology networks were ranked as significantly worse than its European competitors in a September CBI survey, a situation that Foster said required "the foresight and political courage of our 19th century forebears", to rectify.

"Great challenges require bold solutions, which is why I believe our Thames Hub vision is critical to society and to the country's economic prosperity," added Halcrow group board director, David Kerr.

"If we don't sustain and invest in infrastructure, then it's at our peril. If the UK is to remain globally competitive, these proposals need to be seriously considered."

However, the project is expected to face intense opposition from green groups who have warned any increase in renewable energy capacity in the region would be more than offset by the increase in flights resulting from the new airport.