Through a network of 4,000 turbines, the tidal power will be captured by the dam to generate up to 15GW of energy, which is equivalent of six large coal or gas power stations and would provide energy for more than ten million homes.
The facility will include the dam construction stretching 60-100km perpendicular to the Chinese coast between Xiamen and Shantou, and in the entrance to the Bohai Sea.
The patented technology, known as the POWER Programme, is being developed by a consortium of eight Dutch companies, including Arcadis as lead, in cooperation the Chinese Government.
The consortium includes Strukton Engineering, Arcadis, Pentair/Nijhuis Pompen, Antea Group/Oranjewoud, WUR – IMARES, DNV KEMA, TU Delft and H2iD.
Arcadissaid River, Coast and Sea Department director Rob Steijn said, "We are thrilled about the fruitful co-operation with our Chinese partners. Of course it helps a lot that many tidal conditions along the Chinese coastline are very good for the concept of dynamic tidal power."
The current economic assessment will focus on the design and construction costs of the project which are estimated to be $40bn.
If the Chinese economic assessment, which is slated to be completed by the end of 2014, is successful, the project will enter testing and final design for completion by 2020.
