A DIRECTOR has been appointed for a huge tidal power project in the Mersey that forms a key pillar of proposals to kickstart our region’s economy after the pandemic.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram announced the appointment of Martin Land, who has worked on projects such as High Speed 1 and the Chinese Nuclear Power Programme, to lead the project as it moves into its next phases.

Mr Land's appointment follows a £2.5m funding injection from the combined authority in February to develop preferred options for the project

The scheme is still far away from being realised, with combined authority estimates putting the cost in the billions, but it is hoped Mr Land’s appointment will help bolster the case for the project over the next few years.

The combined authority has appealed to government to provide further funding to accelerate the process, arguing that the project would create thousands of jobs and provide a significant boost to the UK’s climate goals.

Metro Mayor Rotheram said the project could make our region "Britain’s renewable energy coast".

He said: "This and other long-term infrastructure project are now even more important, playing a key role in our economic recovery and in realising our ambitions for the globally competitive, environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economy we are committed to delivering.

"We are at a crucial stage in the process and that is why we have brought Martin in as Project Director.

"He has a track record of delivering multi-billion pound projects and is the right person to develop Mersey Tidal Power to the point where government backing can make it a reality."

Mr Land said the project could establish Liverpool as a world leader in renewable energy.

He said: "This is a unique moment, as we face the challenges of rebuilding our post-pandemic economy while reducing emissions and creating new green energy assets for future generations.

"Progressing the Mersey Tidal Power Project is an opportunity that I could not miss out on as we look for the solutions that will make a difference in the future.

"We have the opportunity to position the Liverpool City Region as a world-wide leader in predictable, renewable and long-term generation that will contribute to the UK's energy mix."

Tidal barrages and tidal power projects have been mooted for the Mersey Estuary for decades without success – but a year long study conducted by the combined authority argued that the geography and composition of Liverpool Bay, as well as advances in technology, mean the project is now a viable option.

It is also believed that measures to protect marine life, which is a key worry for opponents of tidal power, have also been developed significantly.

Proponents also argue that Liverpool Bay is one of the only areas of the UK where such a project, which could take the form of either a barrage or a lagoon, would be suitable.

Jobs created through the project would include, designers, architects, technicians, construction and assembly workers and maintenance engineers.