Government obstacles for energy innovators

SIR – Recent letters (June 27) have lamented Britain’s failure to invest in tidal energy.

Our company devised a unique non-turbine tidal solution – production-line-built, reusable, recyclable and not requiring any civil engineering infrastructure to support it. A comparison with the London Array wind farm showed that it took up 10 per cent of the sea area at 38 per cent of the cost for the same output. It was half the cost of Hinkley Point.

We applied to Innovate UK, the government agency, for funding. The application template prohibited pictures. You try to explain to civil servants a unique moving mechanical device without illustrations. Instead, we had to fill in a form on diversity, inclusion, and health and safety.

We were declined funding – for failing to illustrate the benefits. Despite our MP advising the minister on this, our second application was declined without reply. Mike Arkell

Southampton

SIR – Those who are complaining that the magnificent Swansea Bay is not going to be vandalised by a tidal lagoon should see how the green brigade have destroyed one of nature’s most outstanding seascapes off the north-east coast of North Wales – whose horizon is now littered with (mostly stationary) wind turbines. Brian Christley

Abergele, Conwy