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Might tidal range schemes change the local economic impact dial on renewable electricity generation?

Munday, Max ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9067-2481, Ahmadian, Reza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2665-4734, Turner, Karen, Formosa, Nathan and Roche, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1481-2117 2026. Might tidal range schemes change the local economic impact dial on renewable electricity generation? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 226 (Part A) , 116200. 10.1016/j.rser.2025.116200

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Abstract

This paper argues that potential future tidal range schemes (TRS) across the UK could change the local economic development dial. Previous renewable electricity generation developments in less economically advantaged parts of the UK have had limited local economic development effects. However, the characteristics of tidal range schemes in terms of technology and construction needs could make for more significant local economy impacts. We structure the review around the potential connections between the development of TRS and local economic development and then framing the dynamic impacts of TRS construction/operations activity in terms of the development of a UK/local supply chain and associated trade development. We finally consider how public interventions might work to improve the economic development prospects of TRS. An identified concern is that the leverage of socio-economic returns from TRS will not be automatic. There has to date been limited progression in the UK to explicitly link the availability of subsidies to socio-economic outcomes in areas surrounding the electricity generation infrastructure. The review reveals that to lever the socio-economic outcomes from future TRS that closer public private partnerships will be needed during the development of the infrastructure.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Schools > Business (Including Economics)
Schools > Engineering
Research Institutes & Centres > Welsh Economy Research Unit (WERU)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Publisher: Elsevier
ISSN: 1364-0321
Funders: EPSRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 18 August 2025
Date of Acceptance: 10 August 2025
Last Modified: 02 Sep 2025 15:20
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180476

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