A TIDAL barrier could be built across the River Clyde in a bid to create renewable energy, says Fiona Mcleod in The Scotsman. The Scottish Government is to hold talks over the proposed £250 million tidal barrier which would bolster flood defences as well as generate electricity.The project, earmarked for the mouth of the Clyde, would run from Greenock to Ardmore Point, between Helensburgh and Dumbarton. The specialists from Strathclyde University who have put the plans forward are now to meet energy minister Jim Mather to discuss them.A spokesman for the minister said: “The concept of a barrage across the Clyde is not new, yet generating clean, green energy from the river is an interesting idea.”Marine architect Robert McNair and his colleague Colin MacFarlane, emeritus professor of engineering at Strathclyde, claimed the barrage could save millions of pounds in the long term by preventing damage to property on the banks of the river.McNair said: “We feel the time is right to open up the debate about what we really are going to do about the major flood issues of the near, mid-term and long-term future.”Severe flooding could permanently damage the estuary environment and the expense of flood prevention will eventually be overwhelming.”The scheme would generate approximately 200 gigawatt hours per year by converting energy from tidal flows through the barrage - enough to power every home in Glasgow.A similar development was proposed in the 1960s, but was rejected by the then Scottish secretary Willie Ross based on engineering considerationsThe project could also aid shipping, as water depths could be controlled to allow the passage of large vessels without the need to wait for favourable tides.However, public spending faces a squeeze in coming years and funding is likely to be a major stumbling block, particularly given the need to replace the crumbling Forth Road Bridge on the east coast.The government recently axed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link to generate savings of about £175m in future budgets.