Severn Estuary tidal barrage to be considered again

Such a barrage could provide 10 per cent of the UK's entire electricity supply

The Severn Estuary features the highest tidal range in Europe
Author: James DiamondPublished 12th Mar 2024

A commission, set up to explore the possibility of a tidal barrage on the Severn Estuary, will meet for the first time today (12 March).

Formed of scientific, engineering and environmental experts from across the West Country and South Wales, it will re-examine the idea, which has already been unsuccessfully proposed 25 times in the past 20 years.

The Western Gateway group, which aims to draw in major investment to the area, says it is worth exploring again because of the increasing need for renewable energy and adds a new report put together by consultants WSP and being published today, backs that up.

The commission is chaired by Dr Andrew Garrad CBE, recent recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Award for Engineering and is meeting for the first time at the Welsh parliament, the Senedd.

Andrew Bowie MP, UK Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, said: “It is great to see the Western Gateway partnership launching this new commission to explore the potential of the Severn Estuary.

"The government has already laid out our commitment to seeing tidal power become a key part of the UK’s next generation of renewable energy projects and provide secure reliable sources of energy for the UK.”

Julie James MS, Welsh Minister for Climate Change, said: “We warmly welcome the establishment of the Western Gateway's Severn Estuary Commission and commitment to exploring the immense energy potential of this important landmark.

"The Welsh Government has already stated our ambition for Wales to become a World centre for emerging tidal technologies."

The estuary features the highest tidal range in Europe and the third highest in the world, making it an obvious site for a tidal barrage, on paper.

Were such a barrage built, estimates suggest it could provide as much as 10 per cent of the UK's entire electricity needs.

However, the Estuary is also home to over 80,000 migratory birds and more than 110 species of fish, with potential damage to their ecosystem providing a significant barrier to the idea in the past.

“By bringing together national experts from across Wales and England to explore this issue I am confident that the commission will be able to consider the needs of our vital ecosystems, the environment and other sea users alongside the potential for renewable energy," MS James said.

Dr Andrew Garrad CBE said: "The Severn Estuary Commission represents a pivotal moment in the area’s collective pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

“There is still much which needs to be considered and evidence to be reviewed in order to decide whether there is now a viable option to harness the awesome power of the Severn Estuary.

"Following considerable past attempts, our mission is to navigate the complexities, balance environmental concerns, and unlock sustainable opportunities that will define the future of energy in the Severn Estuary."

Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and Western Gateway Board Member said: "This work has already received support from both UK and Welsh Governments with both acknowledging that the time is right to look again at tidal energy from the Severn.

"After much work behind the scenes I am glad to see this work get underway."

Other members of the commission include:

  • Sue Barr - Director of Marine Energy at Simply Blue Group and Chair of the UK Marine Energy Council.
  • Peter Davies CBE - Managing Director of Business in the Community and Vice Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.
  • Chris Mills - President and Chair of the Institute of Fisheries Management and Chair of Welsh Water's Independent Environmental Advisory Panel.
  • Dr Nigel Costley - Former Regional Secretary of South West Trade Unions Congress.
  • Dr Madeleine Havard - Member of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Chair of Skomer Marine Conservation Zone Advisory Committee.

The Western Gateway has previously lobbied unsuccessfully to get the UK's first prototype nuclear fusion power plant built on the Severn Estuary in South Gloucestershire.

If you want to find out more about the Western Gateway, you can do so here.

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