Severn Barrage will not cost jobs at Bristol Port - according to man behind the latest scheme
THE private consortium behind the latest plans to build a barrage across the Severn has denied claims the scheme would cost jobs in the South West.
A consortium of businesses called Hafren Power want to build a £25 barrage from North Somerset to South Wales in a bid to harness tidal energy from the Severn.
But Bristol Port has claimed that the scheme would badly hit its business and lead to thousands of job losses in the area.
This week Hafren has been giving evidence to a Parliamentary committee about the scheme along with other interested parties.
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The group has claimed the plans to build an 11 mile tidal power station across the Severn Estuary would generate zero carbon electricity. Hafren has also pledged to work with everyone involved to protect the economy and wildlife of the estuary.
Tony Pryor, Hafren Power's chief executive, said: "We will deliver green, safe, secure and ultimately the cheapest electricity for Britain into the next century.
"The barrage will create 20,000 construction jobs and protect tens of thousands of properties from rising sea levels and storm surges.
"We believe this is a project whose time has come but it will not be at the expense of upstream port jobs, fish or birds."
He added: "We are committed to working with everyone in the months and years ahead to show how new technology and planning can mitigate risks. We are determined to get it right."
The barrage, between Brean in England and Lavernock Point in Wales, will generate power on the ebb and flood of the second largest tidal range in the world at 14 metres - a potential energy source capable of meeting some five per cent of the UK's annual electricity needs.
Its 1,026 turbines will generate 6.5GW, making it one of the biggest power stations in the world.
According to Hafren the barrage would have a minimum lifespan of 120 years – far longer than any coal, gas or nuclear power station.
A parliamentary bill is needed to authorise the project, together with an agreement to support the electricity price in the first 30 years, in line with the subsidy granted to other low-carbon energy generators.
The barrage would cost £25 billion to build and would be privately financed by sovereign wealth funds and other investors, of which around 80 per cent will be spent in the UK.
Around 20,000 workers would be needed to build the barrage over a nine year period – including concrete and steel jobs in South Wales and turbine manufacture and maintenance divided between the Bristol area.
Hafren has also claimed there will be no affect on shipping in the estuary.
The Environment Agency also gave evidence at the select committee and claimed the scheme could lead to even more flooding in the South West.
The Environment Agency said its initial assessment suggests that over 100 years the overall impact of a barrage on flood risk management costs "may be neutral".
But it conceded that the barrage could protect areas upstream from storm surge and tidal floods, but says it has the potential to increase coastal flood risk elsewhere.
6 Comments
by FromMendip
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 7:57PM
“A Barrage would have a very positive effect on the South Wales economy whilst the West of England would be neutral at best but much more likely worse off.”
by corncups
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:59PM
“Well they would say that wouldn't they.”
by bristolreded
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:57PM
“How are ships suppose to get through then?”
by matic_113
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:56PM
“More work needs to be done on various designs. There are going to be negative effects on wildlife. anything of this size will inevitably have a large impact. BUT, we are taking about a massive chunk of the UKs power coming from sustainable sources. We need to get the most energy from our unique tide range. If we try and prevent all the negative effects we will dilute the potential amount of energy and Gas, coal or nuclear will be needed to supplement. All i know is that we need as great hydrostatic head as possible and lots of other technologies are in their infancy with little useful data.
Which ever technique produces the most energy economically gets my vote. At the moment we don't have comparative data to make that decision”
by Richard34
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:31PM
“It's not just the port jobs that are at risk though, it's the butterfly effect on industry and services throughout North Somerset, Bristol, Welsh coastline and mainly in Gloucestershire. There's not been any talk about how the Severn Bore will be saved and simply because it can't be saved which means that habitat and eco systems which rely on this and have relied on it for 1000's of years will be destroyed. Slimbridge area where saltmarshes and mudflats are used by 69,000 birds each winter with visitor centre's and more in and around these areas.
This is a Victorian design idea and it's not fit for purpose for the 21st century in a progressive and scientific society. Listening to quango's and their connections reduces our influence in breakthrough and future technologies which are far cheaper and more effective that this rubbish design!”
by Shas_J
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:18PM
“£25 - is that all its going to cost?? Spell check BEP - 2nd paragraph :)”