Delivering Great Britain’s
Tidal Range Potential
A new era of UK energy infrastructure starts here…
Tidal energy represents one of the largest untapped sources of predictable, renewable power globally. The UK is uniquely positioned to lead this opportunity.
SETB has proven a new class of tidal turbine that unlocks large-scale, predictable, renewable energy that is now economically credible.
We have developed a Very Low Head Turbine (VLHT) that can deliver tidal range energy with a validated cost of :
£114/MWh
and 20 hour daily generation, 125 year asset life and low grid connection costs.
Who we are
SETB is a UK-based engineering and technology company at the forefront of tidal energy innovation.
We are a team bringing together expertise in economics, engineering, governance and infrastructure.
We have successfully developed and tested a new class of turbine technology designed to unlock the multi-billion-pound tidal range energy market.
Working in partnership with Jacobs and Amentum, supported by a UK Government Research and Innovation SMART grant, SETB has advanced the design and validation of a contra-rotating, bi-directional turbine capable of operating efficiently at significantly lower head levels than conventional systems.
This work has been delivered in collaboration with a consortium of leading organisations, including Cardiff University, Liverpool John Moores University, and the Tidal Range Alliance (part of the British Hydropower Association).
What we have achieved
SETB has developed a tidal bar deployment model supported by VLHT technology designed for efficient two-way generation. The programme addresses historic cost and operational barriers to tidal range schemes, supporting scalable deployment within suitable UK esturaries. Through government supported programmes and collaboration SETB has delivered the technical and commercial foundations required for deployment.
A purpose-built test rig was developed at Jacobs’ Technology and Innovation centre in Warrington, enabling the successful testing and accreditation of a fully functional prototype turbine.
This integrated approach has provided robust, real-world validation of the VLHT’s performance - demonstrating its ability to operate efficiently at low head levels and confirming its readiness for the next stage of commercial development.
Why this matters
Britain possesses a unique geography. The UK coastline consists of major estuaries that create a tidal range that can be used to generate power of up to 100 GW.
This can provide energy security for Britain’s future over the next 125 years, not just delivering power during our lifetimes, but those of our children and grandchildren.
Tidal range energy offers highly predictable, zero-carbon generation that can strengthen grid stability and long-term energy security.
Unlike intermittent renewable technologies, tidal cycles are forecastable years in advance.
As part of a balanced energy mix, tidal range has the potential to make a material contribution to national decarbonisation while supporting resilience and coastal protection objectives.
Contact Us
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