Atlas of the

Tidal Energy Resource

on the South East Coast of England

Prepared for the

South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
May 2007

Marine and Technical Marketing Consultants (MTMC)

Unit 28, Medina Village
Bridge Road
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 7LP, UK
Tel. / Fax: +44 (0) 1983 294684
E-mail: icampbell@mtmc.fslife.co.uk

SEEDA Tidal Resource Atlas

Contents
1. Foreword
Introduction
Tides and Tidal Streams
Area covered
Information sources

2. Maps and Charts

Chart 1

Peak flowrate for mean spring tides in the SEEDA

region

Chart 2

Peak flowrate for mean neap tides in the SEEDA

region

Chart 3

Times of maximum tidal flowrate for eastward flow

in the English Channel and southward flow in the
Straits of Dover

Chart 4

Times of maximum tidal flowrate for westward flow

in the English Channel and northward flow in the
Straits of Dover

Chart 5

Potential annual power generation for areas of

significant tidal stream resource in the SEEDA
region with population density

Chart 6

Mean spring tidal range at coastal locations in the

SEEDA region

Chart 7

Locations of physical and environmental constraints

overview

Chart 8

Straits of Dover: Locations of physical and

environmental constraints

Chart 9

The Solent and the Isle of Wight: Locations of

physical and environmental constraints

3. Acknowledgements

1. Foreword
1.1 Introduction
Marine and Technical Marketing Consultants (MTMC) was commissioned by
the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to produce an atlas of
the tidal resource around the coast of the SEEDA region, as an adjunct to a
study (also conducted by MTMC) into the feasibility of establishing a Test and
Evaluation Centre for marine energy generating devices on the Isle of Wight1.
The purpose of this atlas is to identify those areas in the English Channel,
Dover Straits and Thames Estuary where there is a significant resource of
tidal energy, with potential to be harvested for the generation of clean, green
electricity. This resource could contribute to the Regions renewable energy
targets for 2020, if sufficient support is offered to encourage early deployment
of tidal energy technologies.
Electricity generated from tidal stream energy in the near term will be of the
order of tens of MW, which is at least an order of magnitude lower than
conventional power stations. Therefore for best efficiency it should be
delivered via the local distribution network for consumption by local coastal
communities. For this reason, population density has been included on Chart
5 in the atlas.
There are substantial pressures on the marine environment, often resulting in
competition for usage of the marine space. Developers of marine energy sites
must consult widely with, and obtain agreement for the development from,
other marine stakeholders before the necessary licenses will be granted. In
recognition of this situation, a number of known constraints to exploitation of
the tidal resource that currently exist in the waters around the SEEDA region
are also presented in this atlas, although the list is by no means complete.

1.2 Tides and Tidal Streams2

As the earth rotates (carrying the oceans with it), the oceanic waters are
attracted by the gravitational pull of the moon. The earth presents an everchanging aspect to the moon and this causes the water to oscillate in a wave
of very long length and period, and relatively low amplitude, across the
surface of the earth. The oscillation manifests itself as the so-called diurnal
tidal cycle with one full cycle lasting approximately 12 hours.
The sun also exerts a gravitational pull on oceanic waters, but to a lesser
extent than the moon, because it is further away. When the moon and sun are
aligned (or in conjunction), the effect is to augment the tidal oscillation, giving
rise to large tides known as spring tides, which occur one or two days after
1

Feasibility Study: Solent Ocean Energy Centre. The case for establishing an evaluation and research
centre for ocean energy technologies on the Isle of Wight MTMC report prepared for the Isle of Wight
Council, December 2006
2
Michael Reeve-Fowkes: The Yachtsmans Manual of Tides Ch 1, Tidal Cause and Effect. Barnacle
Marine Ltd, 1992

the full and new moon. Conversely, when the pull of the sun is at right angles
to the pull of the moon, the tidal oscillation will be at a minimum. These
periods are called neap tides and occur between the full and new moon. The
interval between one spring tide and the next is about 14 days.
During spring tides, both the tidal range (the difference between the sea level
at high and low water) and the strength of the tidal streams (the horizontal
movement of water caused by the tides) will be at their maximum. The range
and strength of tidal streams are much reduced at neap tides.
Since the tidal motion of water is oscillatory, the speed of a tidal stream
continuously changes. It will build up from zero at slack water to a maximum
value and then reduce back to zero at the next slack water. It then changes
direction and repeats the process of increasing and decreasing speed until it
reaches slack water again, some 12 hours after the cycle began.
Both the tidal streams and the tidal range give rise to an inexhaustible source
of energy that may be extracted to produce electricity with zero carbon dioxide
emissions.

1.3 Area Covered

The remit of this work covers those areas of tidal water between the coastline
of the SEEDA region seaward to the limit of the UK territorial waters.
The SEEDA region coastline extends from Christchurch, Dorset, eastwards
along the south coast of England, through Hampshire, Sussex and Kent to
Dover and then northwards to North Foreland. From this eastern extremity,
the coastline runs westwards towards Sheerness and the river Medway, to the
southern banks of the river Thames.
The Atlas therefore covers the English Channel (east of Christchurch), the
Straits of Dover and the southern North Sea, up to the approximate midline of
the Thames Estuary. In all cases, the seaward boundary is the limit of UK
territorial waters.
In general, the scale of this project precludes the provision of information on
local tidal variations in small creeks, estuaries and channels. This is
particularly relevant for the channels around the sandbanks in the Thames
Estuary, where a more detailed study may highlight localised, fast-flowing tidal
streams. However more detailed tidal information for the Solent has been
included in the Atlas, by drawing on the authors extensive knowledge of the
waters around the Isle of Wight.

1.4 Information Sources

The maps and charts in this atlas have been compiled from information that is
freely available in the public domain.
The tidal speed information originated from Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlases,
which are published as navigational tools for the commercial shipping and
leisure boat sectors3. These Admiralty Atlases provide spring and neap tidal
velocities (speed and direction) at hourly intervals related to the time of high
water at a selected standard port. Maximum speed values were manually
extracted from the Admiralty publications and processed in order to produce
Charts 1 and 2 (Peak flowrate for mean spring and neap tides respectively in
the SEEDA region).
The times of maximum speed for east and west-going tidal flows in the
English Channel (Charts 3 and 4 respectively) were also manually extracted
from the Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlases.
The data presented in Chart 5 (Potential annual power generation for areas of
significant tidal stream resource) gives the annual power that could be
generated by a typical tidal stream turbine at locations of good tidal stream
resource. The calculation of this data utilised mean annual power density
values taken from the DTI Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources4
at locations around the SEEDA region. The power generation values are
indicative, rather than definitive.
Chart 6 (Mean spring tidal range) was compiled from data on the Easytide
website: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/. This site presents predictions
of tidal curves (i.e the tidal height as a function of time) and mean spring tidal
range for numerous ports around the UK coast.
Constraints to the deployment of tidal stream energy devices are shown in
Chart 7 (Locations of physical and environmental constraints). More detailed
information regarding such constraints is presented for the Straits of Dover
(Chart 8) and the Solent and the Isle of Wight (Chart 9), where, in the opinion
of the authors, the exploitation of tidal energy may be commercially viable.
Data regarding physical constraints were found from Admiralty Navigation
Charts5 and the authors extensive knowledge of the waters in the Solent and
around the Isle of Wight. Information about environmental constraints was
found from the website of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC):
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/.
3

Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlases:

Dover Strait, NP233, 1995
Thames Estuary, NP249, 1985
English Channel, NP250, 1992
North Sea Southern Portion, NP251, 2005
The Solent and Adjacent Waters, NP337, 1993
4
DTI Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources, produced by ABPmer, the Met
Office, Garrad Hassan and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, December 2004
5
Admiralty Folios SC5600 and SC 5605

2. Maps and Charts

Chart 1 - Peak flowrate for mean spring tides

Key Points:

The strongest tidal stream resource in the SEEDA region is 5 miles south of the Isle of Wight, in St Catherines Race
The good tidal stream resource south of the Isle of Wight extends across the English Channel (not shown on Chart 1) to the
Cherbourg peninsula in northern France
Localised areas of strong tidal stream resource occur in the Solent, for example in the Hurst Narrows, but exploitation is
restricted, primarily because of potential conflicts with commercial shipping and leisure boat activities (see Chart 9)
Exploitation of the good tidal stream resource in the Straits of Dover is likewise compromised, primarily by the constraints of
congested commercial shipping routes (see Chart 8).

Chart 1: Peak flowrate for mean spring tides in the SEEDA region
Notes:
1. Boundaries of areas with
a given tidal flowrate have
been manually extrapolated
and are approximate.
2. Sand banks in the Thames
Estuary lead to complex tidal
flows. The flowrate presented
here is the maximum value in
Barrow Deep and similar channels

Isle of Sheppey
Margate Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Southampton
Dungeness
Portsmouth

Brighton
Eastbourne

Spring Tide
Peak Flow (m/s)

Isle of
Wight

0.75 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.25
1.25 - 1.5
1.5 - 1.75
l Se a
UK Territoria

Limit

)
p ro x
(A p

2.0 - 2.25
0

1.75 - 2.0
20

10

Miles

30
c MTMC 2008
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Chart 2 - Peak flowrate for mean neap tides

Key Points:

The maximum tidal flowrate at neap tides is approximately 50% of the maximum flowrate at spring tides shown in Chart 1.
As a rule of thumb, this relationship between spring and neap tide flowrates applies globally
The locations of the best tidal stream resource for neap tides in the SEEDA region largely reflect the best locations at spring
tides, as shown in Chart 1.

Chart 2: Peak flowrate for mean neap tides in the SEEDA region
Notes:
1. Boundaries of areas with
a given tidal flowrate have
been manually extrapolated
and are approximate.
2. Sand banks in the Thames
Estuary lead to complex tidal
flows. The flowrate presented
here is the maximum value in
Barrow Deep and similar channels

Isle of Sheppey
Margate Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Southampton
Dungeness
Portsmouth

Brighton
Eastbourne

Isle of
Wight

Neap Tide
Peak Flow (m/s)
< 0.5
0.5 - 0.75
it
Sea Li m
UK Territorial

rox)
(Ap p

0.75 - 1.0
20

10

Miles

30

1.0 - 1.25
c MTMC 2008
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Chart 3 - Times of maximum tidal flowrate for eastward flow in the English Channel and southward flow
in the Straits of Dover when high water at Dover is at 12.00pm (midday)
Key Points:

The velocity of water in a tidal stream varies in a roughly sinusoidal manner from zero at slack water (the turn of the tide) to
maximum rate some 2 4 hours later and reducing to zero again at the next slack water (approximately 6 hours after the
previous slack water).
The amount of electricity that can be generated from a tidal stream resource is proportional to the cube of the tidal velocity
(V3)
Hence tidal stream generators produce electricity intermittently, although (unlike wind turbines) the intermittency is entirely
predictable from data freely available in nautical almanacs.
The chart opposite illustrates the time lag for maximum tidal velocity at different locations in the English Channel, Straits of
Dover and Thames Estuary, when the tidal stream is flowing east in the English Channel.
As a consequence of this lag, the intermittency of electricity generation from the tidal stream resource of the SEEDA region
could be smoothed by judicial selection of sites for energy extraction.
For example, on the east-going tide in the middle of the English Channel and south of the Isle of Wight, the maximum tidal
velocity occurs 2 hours later than in the Straits of Dover.

Chart 3: Times of maximum tidal flowrate for eastward flow in the English Channel and
southward flow in the Straits of Dover when high water at Dover is at 12.00pm (midday)

Isle of Sheppey
Margate

Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Dungeness

Southampton
Portsmouth

Brighton
Eastbourne

Isle of
Wight

it
Sea Lim
UK Territori al

(A p p

rox)

10

20

10

Miles

30
c MTMC 2008
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Chart 4 - Times of maximum tidal flowrate for westward flow in the English Channel and northward flow
in the Straits of Dover when high water at Dover is at 12.00pm (midday)
Key Points:

Please see key points for Chart 3 regarding the relationship between electricity generated and the velocity of water in a tidal
stream
The chart opposite illustrates the time lag for maximum tidal velocity at different locations in the English Channel, Straits of
Dover and Thames Estuary, when the tidal stream is flowing west in the English Channel.
As a consequence of this lag, the intermittency of electricity generation from the tidal stream resource of the SEEDA region
could be smoothed by judicial selection of sites for energy extraction.
For example, on the west-going tide in the middle of the English Channel and south of the Isle of Wight, the maximum tidal
velocity occurs 3 hours later than in the Straits of Dover.

11

Chart 4: Times of maximum tidal flowrate for westward flow in the English Channel and
northward flow in the Straits of Dover when high water at Dover is at 12.00pm (midday)

Isle of Sheppey
Margate

Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Dungeness

Southampton
Portsmouth

Brighton
Eastbourne

Isle of
Wight

it
Sea Lim
UK Territori al

(A p p

rox)

12

20

10

Miles

30
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Chart 5 Potential annual mean power generation for areas of significant tidal stream resource
Key Points:

The data presented in the chart opposite gives an approximate value of the electrical power that a twin-rotor tidal turbine
might deliver in one year
A representative rotor diameter of 16 metres was used for the calculations
The calculations make allowance for:
o The Betz ratio (which governs the maximum power that can theoretically be extracted by an open rotor in a freestream flow)
o Mechanical efficiency
o Electrical efficiency
The data presented is indicative rather than definitive. It is suitable for initial estimates of potential electricity generation from
tidal stream energy resources in the SEEDA region

13

Chart 5: Potential annual mean power generation for areas of significant

tidal stream resource in the SEEDA region with population density
Annual Tidal Power
Generation
(MWh/annum)

Population
Density (per sq km)

< 1000

< 50

1000-1400

50 - 100

1400-1900

100 - 500

1900-2800

500 - 2000

2800-3800

> 2000

London
Isle of Sheppey
Margate

Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Southampton
Dungeness
Portsmouth

Brighton
Eastbourne

Isle of
Wight

UK Territ oria

lS

it
e a Lim

p ro
(Ap

x)

14

10

20

Miles

30
c MTMC 2008
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Chart 6 Mean spring tidal range at coastal locations in the SEEDA region
Key Points:

The tidal range shown opposite is the difference (in metres) between the sea level at mean high water springs and mean low
water springs
The tidal range increases as we move east along the south coast of England, owing to the constriction for tidal flow through
the Straits of Dover
A good tidal range resource occurs in certain locations, particularly between Eastbourne and Dungeness, where the tidal
stream resource is too low for commercial exploitation
Methods for exploitation of a high tidal range include barrages across estuaries and tidal lagoons. Other micro-scale
methods of exploitation have been proposed, which would have a lower environmental impact.

15

Chart 6: Mean spring tidal range at coastal locations in the SEEDA region (in metres)
Southend-on-Sea

5.9
5.7
5.4

4.2

4.8 4.8

Tilbury

4.1
4.8
Margate

Sheerness

Chatham Lock

3.9
y
Ba

le
tab
its

rn e

Wh

He

Broadstairs

Ramsgate
Richborough

5.4

6.5

Deal

Do

6.8

r
ne

s
es

sti

ou
st b
Ea
rne

ton

e
av

ton
m
ha

wh
Ne

igh

s
ng

Br

o re
Sh

p
am

ing
rth
Wo

h
tle
Lit

Ha

tch

ge
ri d

o
ntn
Ve
r

ur
rb o

ter

Ha

wa
sh

h
urc

En

g is
Re
or
gn
Bo
e
am
nc
ill
gh
tra
Pa
yB
En
ur
rbo
lse
Se

ter
es
ich
Ch

mb
Be

ri s

uth
mo

Ch

s
we

Co

Fre

rt s
Po

ton
in g

Isle of
Wight

2.8

en
ng

4.8

2.4
2.3

6.7

6.2

5.2
5.1
Ha

m
Ly

1.6

3.5

5.8 6.1

Du

3.5

5.7

sto

5.6

lke

4.1
Southampton

ve

Fo

6.9

n
tra
ce

UK Territori al

it (Ap
S e a Li m

)
p ro x

20

10

Miles
16

30
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Chart 7 Locations of physical and environmental constraints (overview)

Key Points:

Marine renewable energy developments are subject to the conditions set out by necessary licences, such as the Food and
Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) licence.
The FEPA licence requires prior consultation with, and agreement to the development by, a number of statutory consultees
and marine stakeholders
The interests of these stakeholders will limit the areas in the SEEDA region where tidal stream energy developments will be
permitted. Existing constraints include (but are not limited to):
o Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), protected under EU legislation
o Commercial shipping: congested shipping lanes, traffic separation schemes and designated shipping channels
o Military activities: explosives dumping grounds and submarine exercise areas
o Sites of protected historic wrecks
o Subsea pipelines and cables
o Leisure boat activities, e.g. Cowes Week Regatta and the Round the Island Race
The insets on Chart 7 are expanded in Charts 8 and 9

17

Chart 7: Locations of physical and environmental constraints (overview)

Isle of Sheppey
Margate

Ramsgate

Dover
Folkestone

Southampton
Dungeness

Brighton

Portsmouth

Eastbourne

Straits of Dover Inset

Isle of
Wight

of tr
rn limit
Northe

on sc
epar ati
affic s

heme

Constraints
Environmental

Solent and Isle of Wight Inset

UK Territorial

Sea L i

p p ro
mit (A

Shipping / Military

x)

Pipelines / Cables
10

20

Miles
18

30

Ship Wreck Sites

c MTMC 2008
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Chart 8 Locations of physical and environmental constraints in the Straits of Dover

Key constraints on tidal stream energy development

Congested shipping routes with traffic separation scheme

Subsea power cables
Protected historic wrecks on the Goodwin Sands
Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs Special Area of Conservation (SAC) chalk cliff exposure

19

pp ro

x)

Chart 8: Locations of physical and environmental constraints in the Straits of Dover

S ea

Li m
it ( A

Ramsgate

ito

r ia l

Historic Wrecks
(Protected Area)

UK

Ter
r

Goodwin Sands

Deal

Historic Wrecks
(Protected Area)

Constraints

Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs SAC

Environmental
Power cables

Shipping / Military
e

Dover

he
m

Pipelines / Cables

sc

Folkestone

Ship Wreck Sites

Dungeness
N

-w
th
or

er
st

al

r
se
Re

va

n
ti o

'o

c
ffi
tra

se

'C
en
tr

ne

em

La
g
in

r
ft

p
se

n
tio

Sh
ip
p

lim

o
it

fic
af

a
ar

h
sc

cab le

ar
at
io

Po w
er

FRANCE

Miles
20

10
c MTMC 2008
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Chart 9 Locations of physical and environmental constraints around the Solent and the Isle of Wight
Key constraints on tidal stream energy development
1. South of the Island

Explosives dumping ground in St Catherines Deep

South Wight Maritime SAC subtidal reefs
Submarine exercise area (boundaries not marked on navigational charts)
Offshore racing marks occasional periods of high level activity for sailing boats

2. Central Solent

Moving prohibited zone around underway vessels of greater length than 150 metres
Submarine pipelines and cables

3. Western Solent

Designated shipping channels

Solent Maritime SAC River Yar and Newtown Harbour estuaries and mudflats

4. Hurst Narrows

Designated shipping channel

Numerous disused subsea cables

5. Needles Channel

Designated shipping channel

Protected historic wrecks at the Needles

21

Chart 9: Locations of physical and environmental constraints around the Solent and the Isle of Wight

The New
Forest

Portsmouth
Entry restricted - Gosport
moving prohibited zone

Solent Maritime SAC

Cable and
pipeline
area
el

Bournemouth

Central Solent

Solent Maritime SAC

Christchurch
Harbour

nt an
ole g ch
n S pin

r
ip
ste sh
Weuoyed

Solent Maritime SAC

Selsey
Bill

B
Newtown Harbour
Disused
Yar Estuary
Estuary
cablesHurst Narrows

Needles Channel

Constraints

Isle of Wight

Environmental

Historic Wrecks
(Protected Area)

Swanage
Bay

Shipping / Military
Pipelines / Cables
South Wight Maritime SAC

St Catherine's Point

Ship Wreck Sites

Explosives
dumping ground
Offshore Racing Mark
(Sailing Boat Activity)

Submarine Exercise Area

(Limit of exercise area not published)

22

Offshore Racing Mark

(Sailing Boat Activity)

ic s
of traff
rn limit
Northe

on sc
epar ati

heme

10

Miles
c MTMC 2008
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3. Acknowledgements
MTMC is grateful for advice and guidance from staff at the University of
Portsmouths Department of Geography regarding the reproduction of this
Tidal Atlas. Particular thanks are due to Dr Alastair Pearson, Mr Paul Carter
and Dr Peter Collier.

23

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