UK Eyes Controversial Severn Tidal Power Scheme
Date: 26-Sep-07
Country: UK
Author: Pete Harrison
"The building of such a barrage would be a huge engineering feat, comparable with some of the world's biggest construction projects," said a government statement.
John Hutton, secretary of state for business, said the government would immediately start studying the feasibility of a barrage, which would be powered by the tide and could provide 5 percent of Britain's power needs.
At around 8.6 gigawatts, it would put out more power than six of the next generation nuclear power stations currently under consideration in the UK.
Carbon-free power is essential to help Britain meet its goal of cutting CO2 emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, but some conservationists say the local damage caused by such a barrage would outweigh the wider benefits.
Thousands of birds, spawning salmon and other fish will be put at risk, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said.
"There could be much better ways of harnessing the Severn's power, and the feasibility study should examine tidal lagoon and tidal stream schemes which could cost less, do less damage and generate more energy," said RSPB Conservation Director Mark Avery.
The estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world at more than 14 metres, and is home to around 65,000 birds during winter, said the RSPB.
Hutton said: "We must understand the true environmental, social and economic impacts of such a project -- they are potentially considerable. But so too is the challenge of climate change."
The Renewable Energy Foundation welcomed the study, and described the barrier as a "strategically significant asset".
"We need to see a prompt decision, not a deferral of action," said John Constable, the charity's director of policy and research.
