London Eye Architect Proposes 14-Mile Tidal Power Station Off Somerset Coast
A major tidal power project, named the West Somerset Lagoon, has been proposed as a 14-mile arc stretching from Minehead to Watchet off the Somerset coast. The £11 billion initiative would employ 125 underwater turbines to generate a maximum output of 2.5 gigawatts, potentially supplying power to about 2 million homes.
The proposal is backed by architects Marks Barfield, led by Julia Barfield, designer of the London Eye. Local MP Rachel Gilmour has also expressed support for the project. Planned features include a top-edge walkway for pedestrians and cyclists, a water-sports marina, a lido, and an observation tower. Additional elements envisioned are on-site datacentres, oyster and mussel beds, floating solar panels, and a coastal amphitheatre.
Aimed at addressing rising electricity demands, especially from artificial intelligence, the project is viewed as a long-term investment expected to last around 120 years. Proponents argue that it could be more cost-effective than nuclear power. Neso, involved in the development, predicts datacentre energy demands will triple by 2035. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has indicated openness to well-developed proposals that demonstrate strong value for money. The AI energy council, which includes Neso, EDF, Microsoft, and Google, is engaged on related issues.
The lagoon design curves rather than spanning the entire channel, thereby avoiding interference with Bristol/Cardiff navigation and sits outside protected ecological areas, minimising environmental disruption. If funded, the project aims to boost the local economy of Minehead, create skilled jobs, and foster new marine industries surrounding the lagoon.
