Tidal energy study flows forwards

One proposal could see a barrage built across the Solway Firth

Research on energy projects to harness the tidal power of the Solway Firth will be published later this month.

A feasibility study is being used to identify and assess a number of potential schemes off the coast of Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria.

The Solway Firth is already home to Scotland's first offshore wind farm on the Robin Rigg sandbank.

Attention has now turned to developing power generation schemes which utilise the estuary's fast-flowing tides.

A feasibilty study is being carried out to examine potentially suitable projects and technologies for further investigation.

The research is based on the Solway Energy Gateway proposal to develop some form of barrage or reef to harness the power from the tidal flow between Annan and Bowness.

The findings will to be presented at this year's annual conference of the Solway Firth Partnership.