So the government is gambling with our money on the most expensive option. Storage would seem to be the most important aspect of the future with batteries or … research is on going. Tidal lagoons were used in the past to power mills (Newhaven, E.Sussex) and could become more common again.
Lots of small schemes rather than expensive eyesores would seem to be an answer. Could the Start Point managed retreat provide energy locally? The same on the Essex Marshes near London too.
My village – about 50% of the houses could have solar panels. The hill could have 3 or 4 wind turbines. Between them I would think that with battery storage the village could almost be self sufficient. I notice that Thatchers is placing a huge number of solar panels on the new factory roofs – with a monthly bill of £60000 (3 years ago) they need to. I wonder how many other firms could do the same.
New housing has sprung up all around Weston-super-Mare noticeable for the lack of solar panels and the apparent disregard for the suns passage through the daily sky. A well designed house would be cheap to heat and fun to live in.