MAYOR Steve Rotheram has extended a 'successful and productive' collaboration with the Korean operators of the world’s largest tidal power scheme.

The Memorandum of Agreement with K-Water, operators of the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Plant, was 1st signed 3 years ago and is helping shape Combined Authority plans to harness the immense tidal power of the River Mersey.

Generating up to a gigawatt of clean, predictable, electricity, with low production costs, Mersey Tidal Power would create thousands of jobs while supporting UK energy security and the road to net zero.

A 2-year extension was signed by Mayor Steve Rotheram, LCRCA Chief Executive Katherine Fairclough, and Jang Byeong-hoon, Executive Vice-President of K-Water, on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. 

The agreement has already played a key role in developing the Mersey Tidal Power programme through:-

• Detailed technical exchanges with K-Water and the lead contractor for the Sihwa Lake tidal plant, Daewoo E&C. These have provided an in-depth understanding of how the world’s largest tidal power plant was designed and built and have shaped development of the Mersey Tidal Power approach to design and constructability.
• Extensive site visits, including full inspection of the Sihwa power plant to understand the technical layout and approach to operation and maintenance (O&M). Studying the world’s largest and most modern tidal range power plant in commercial operation is informing the Combined Authority’s approach to design, operation and maintenance protocols.
• Studying K-Water’s use of AI-powered advanced computer modelling to maximise energy generation, considering factors including water levels, current speeds and weather forecasts (for tidal surge modelling). The Mersey Tidal team has also developed a world-first model to predict changes in hydrodynamics while optimising the operation of the scheme. Work is underway to see how combining the two systems can benefit future projects.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- “Building the UK’s 1st tidal scheme is a complex business, but our collaboration with K-Water has been a genuine partnership of shared learning and ambition. Over the past 3 years, we’ve benefited enormously from their world-leading expertise in tidal power – experience that has helped shape and strengthen our own plans for Mersey Tidal Power. The River Mersey powered the world’s 1st industrial revolution, and through this project it can once again drive a new, green industrial revolution – creating thousands of good jobs, boosting our energy security, and helping us reach net zero. Through our partnership with K-Water, we’re not just learning from the best in the world – we’re positioning the Liverpool City Region to lead it.”

Speaking about the extension to the Memorandum of Agreement, and the tidal symposium, Jang Byeong-hoon, Executive Vice-President of K-Water, said:- “K-water 1st established its connection with LCRCA 3 years ago, and today we have signed an MoA for the Mersey tidal and carbon-neutral technology cooperation here in Liverpool. I hope that through this event, our cooperative relationship will strengthen, ensuring the successful development of the Mersey tidal project and advancing our efforts for carbon neutrality.”

A high-level delegation from South Korea, led by Jang Byeong-hoon, Executive Vice-President of K-Water, will also be taking part in a tidal symposium, organised by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which will feature leading figures from the tidal range sector, focusing on tidal range but also looking at innovation in low-carbon energy production.

The symposium will include a talk by researcher Dr Tilly Collins, part of the Imperial College team who recently published a paper challenging assumptions about the perceived negative local environmental impact of tidal range barrage schemes, arguing that the impact is often neutral or even beneficial.

Since the original Memorandum of Agreement was signed with K-Water in December 2022, the Liverpool City Region has further strengthened links with South Korea, signing a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Park Heong-Joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City in South Korea, committing the two areas to active co-operation initially linked to innovation in digital, smart cities, clean energy and net zero, and health.

And in November 2023, the UK and South Korea signed a new Clean Energy Partnership between the UK and the Republic of Korea (RoK)  to boost energy security and accelerate the clean energy transition.

With its narrow entrance opening into a wide natural lagoon, and its vast difference between low and high tides, the River Mersey is the natural choice for the world’s largest tidal power scheme.

It is also located right where energy is needed to power hundreds of thousands of homes, industry and transport. And as sea levels rise, a barrage across the Mersey would provide vital flood protection for the many communities living along the river.

Already in the planning process, the project would use proven technology to deliver clean energy for over 120 years.

It would also boost the maritime and green energy sectors, growing the local supply chain and creating skilled jobs, while making the Liverpool City Region a global leader in marine energy.

K-water built and operates the Sihwa Lake tidal range power plant, which has been operational since 2011 and generates 552GWh of clean, green energy every year, replacing the equivalent of 862,000 barrels of oil a year.

K-water is the governmental agency for comprehensive water resource development and providing both public and industrial water in South Korea.  In addition to the Sihwa Lake tidal range power plant and a range of other renewable energy initiatives, K-water constructs and manages multipurpose dams, estuary dykes, and canal facilities. The company also operates water supply facilities, maintaining water quality and controlling sewage systems.