Russians want to build a dam in Strangford Lough

Russians want to build a dam in Strangford Lough

16 October 2013

A RUSSIAN energy company says it wants to create a tidal power plant in Down District — by building a dam across the mouth of Strangford Lough.

The incredible proposal would include a dam, with a road on top, which would run between Killard, on the Lecale side of the Lough, and Ballyquintin Road near Portaferry.

The proposed 250MW construction would produce 1115GWh of green energy a year and could become a “famous attraction” according to Martex Invest Ltd.

Based on the similar Kislogubskaya scheme in Russia, the company’s chief executive Vladlen Lunin has written to Down Council asking the opportunity to address members on the proposal.

The issue was due to be discussed at last night’s meeting of the council’s Cultural and Economic Committee.

“The construction of the Strangford tidal power plant will boost the economy of the County Down and facilitate the expansion of its transport infrastructure,” said Mr. Lunin in a letter to the council.

“An increase in fish and marine life resources by 10 to 12 per cent is also expected judging by the experience gained through the operation of the Kislogubskaya tidal power plant mentioned above. Several thousand new jobs will be created through during construction, a new significant tax payer will emerge and more than £450m will flow into the economies of the County Down and Ulster at large.

“The Strangford tidal power plant may become a famous attraction, as it will be the world’s first combined tidal and wave power plant. That will definitely boost the popularity of the county.

“Indeed, it is well known that the second in popularity with tourists after the Eiffel Tower site is the Rance tidal power plant in France, visited by up to 200,000 tourists a year. It is quite realistic to expect that something similar will happen with the Strangford tidal power plant.

“We are aware that navigation in Strangford Lough is important. However, navigation problems, as in the case of many hyower plants in the world, are solvable by construction of sluices and channels.

“The Strangford tidal power plant’s dam will be equipped with a number of sluices and passages sufficient for the migration of fish and marine animals. In addition, a road is to be constructed on the dam that will connect the existing Killard and Ballyquintin Roads, thus improving the transport infrastructure of the eastern shore of County Down.”