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

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.