If a tidal power scheme is to enclose a part of an estuary where there are one or more ports or quays used by commercial shipping, then either suitable locking facilities will have to be provided or the ports closed down. If the ports are losing money, as is sometimes the case, then it could be argued that there would be economic benefit in closing them, as well as a saving in the cost of the barrage by not having to include locks. However, this raises all sorts of questions about employment, knock-on effects and so forth which are outside the scope of this book, and so the assumption is made that adequate provision would have to be made to allow shipping to continue.

Inspec keywords: tidal power stations; sea ports

Other keywords: tidal power; knock-on effects; navigation; commercial shipping

Subjects: Tidal power stations and plants