Leading consultants Mott MacDonald and Halcrow have teamed-up to promote the growing opportunities for the sustainable development of global tidal range energy projects.

The two organisations will collaborate on the identification, pursuit, study and delivery of tidal range energy opportunities throughout the world.

Halcrow and Mott MacDonald are leaders in the power and engineering sectors and this collaboration recognises the exceptional scale and challenges of delivering complex tidal power generation schemes.

Supported by senior representatives from both companies, this collaborative initiative will be led by Mott MacDonald's Dr Simon Harrison and Halcrow's Ben Hamer. Dr Simon Harrison is responsible for developing Mott MacDonald's renewable energy business, including wind, biomass, hydropower and other renewable energy sources; while Ben Hamer is a renowned coastal expert and a director of Halcrow's maritime business.

Dr Simon Harrison said, "Both organisations have considerable experience in delivering major infrastructure projects and we share a culture of integrity, innovation and knowledge-sharing, coupled with a long-term vision for sustainability."

Ben Hamer adds, "We're delighted that Halcrow and Mott MacDonald have decided to team-up to address the requirements of this developing sector. Both organisations are committed to developing a successful working relationship."

The collaboration team has already secured a feasibility study to evaluate options for harnessing tidal energy on the Solway Firth, commissioned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), together with Scottish Enterprise and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

In addition, coastal modellers, economists and scientists from both companies continue to examine the feasibility of a number of schemes under consideration including further exploration of the issues surrounding the development of a River Severn tidal power station.