VIEW PROPOSALS: Clean energy hope from wave power in Severn
Tidal lagoons and a wave farm are possibilities in a list of
10 proposals to generate power from the Severn Estuary.
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Forming part of the Government's tidal energy feasibility
study, the proposals were met with enthusiasm by opponents of
the Severn barrage scheme.
Environmentalists also welcomed the alternatives but
stressed the need for comprehensive environmental assessment of
each proposal.
The plans which will be given further consideration were
unveiled at an event in Cardiff yesterday.
A shortlist will be published later in the year for which
schemes will be taken forward for more extensive research.
The schemes announced include the well-studied 10 mile
Cardiff-Weston barrage plan, which could generate up to 5 per
cent of the UK's electricity, and the shorter Shoots barrage
further up the estuary.
The list also includes an even larger 'Outer Barrage' from
Minehead in Somerset to Aberthaw and the Beachley barrage which
would be further upstream and have a smaller operating capacity
than the Shoots barrage. Other proposals being considered
include a tidal fence scheme which would have a barrier with
open sections and involve tidal stream turbines to capture
energy as tide ebbs and flows.
A reef proposal which would include floating turbines to
harness energy is also on the list.
Energy Secretary John Hutton, who commissioned the
feasibility study, said: “Harnessing the power of the Severn
estuary could be an engineering project of breathtaking scale
and we will look at the full range of technologies and
locations.
“Such a project could play an important role in our ambition
to dramatically increase the amount of energy from renewable
sources. The tidal range on the Severn is the second largest in
the world and has the potential to provide around 5 per cent of
the UK's current electricity demand.”
Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and
Housing for the Welsh Assembly, said: “It is important to
stress that while there is much talk of a 'barrage', this
feasibility study is looking at a range of other options.
“The potential here is great and the Severn Estuary is a
resource that could help us make a significant contribution to
the proposed UK renewables target of 15 per cent by 2020.”
The two-year multi-million-pound feasibility study aims to
assess the costs, benefits and impact of such a tidal scheme in
the Severn and identify a single preferred project from the
options that have been proposed.
Proposals for a barrage across the estuary have attracted
controversy, with wildlife groups concerned about the impact it
could have on the rich ecosystems in the area, which is home to
thousands of over-wintering birds.
The Government's sustainability watchdog the Sustainable
Development Commission (SDC) last year said a tidal barrage
blocking the tide's flow through the estuary could be built if
it complied with environmental laws.
But green groups such as Friends of the Earth have called
for less environmentally damaging schemes such as tidal
lagoons, which would harness the tide's power as it ebbed and
flowed.
The RSPB also expressed concerns at some of the proposals
and said others, such as tidal reefs, would cause much less
harm.
Friends of the Earth energy campaigner and member of the
Severn Tidal Strategic Environmental Assessment steering group
Neil Crumpton said he was delighted the Government was looking
at a range of options for the Severn.
“There are some exciting tidal projects on the table which
could produce as much as 10 per cent of the UK's renewable
energy 2020 target in a more cost effective way than the Severn
Barrage – and without damaging the environment or threatening
access to the port at Bristol.
But a spokesman for the Department for Business said: “We
are fully committed to meeting our fair share of the EU target.
This has been demonstrated by the renewables strategy
consultation which we published last month and which will see a
tenfold increase in renewable energy generation by 2020.”
Martin Harper, chief executive of the Wildfowl &
Wetlands Trust (WWT) and head of sustainable development at the
RSPB, said: “We absolutely support the use of sustainable,
renewable sources of energy so it is interesting to see which
schemes are being considered.
“WWT has submitted information to the Government as part of
the strategic environmental assessment and continues to offer
our unique expertise on wetlands and their wildlife. We
strongly urge the greatest care to be taken to properly assess
the environmental impact of each of these proposed schemes.
“It is right that all options for clean energy generation be
considered but the feasibility study should rule out projects
where the damage and costs outweigh the benefits.
“Projects like a large barrage or tidal lagoons would
fundamentally change the nature of the Severn Estuary which is
heavily protected by law.”
Concerns were also raised over the impact the schemes would
have on Weston-super-Mare. Mike Bell, Liberal Democrat
parliamentary candidate, said: “The publication of this long
list of possible schemes is welcome, as it further advances the
debate on energy generation from the Severn Estuary.
“However, it is another wake up call for Weston-super-Mare
since half the schemes, if built, would have no direct economic
or leisure benefits for Weston.
“There are very important environmental challenges – both in
terms of sustainable power generation and impact on the Estuary
environment – to be overcome.
“But Weston is also in a tight fight to secure jobs and
regeneration dividends.
“Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Cardiff, Clevedon and other
towns further up the estuary stand to benefit if the right
scheme is chosen.”
3 Comments
by G R, north somerset
Tuesday, August 26 2008, 11:33AM
“Any option which allows some type of wire mesh to stop fish and dolphins going through the turbines would be good. Also if there were breaks in the barrage so that fish and other creatures could pass through with safety as option 8 would be great too. I suggest those who do not want this type of electric generation - would they prefer a windmill, a coal fired, nuclear or recycling type of generator close to their house instead? Also unfortunately although this may have an impact on some wildlife - any generation of electricity will have some negative impact on wildlife - so unless we go back to using candles and pushbikes then a balance has to be found and the lesser of the evils chosen.”
by Peter Gaze, Bath
Wednesday, July 30 2008, 11:33PM
“Could there be some mechanically supported "mud flats" which go up and down to mimic the tidal behavior of the Severn? Birds could then roost on them and feed off worms, as they do now. But the real tides will have been tamed by one or other of the barrages. Just a thought. It's the effect on birds which seems the major gripe against our getting 5% of our energy which isn't dependent on the Russians or the Iranians.”
by chris noble, Yeovil
Friday, July 25 2008, 11:56AM
“This is encouraging as the barrage scheme was not popular, BUT will anything actually come to fruition. It is no good simply talking about these schemes; action is what is needed and action NOW. At least the nimbys should be satisfied as there will not be very much to see. Still it will be interesting to see the reactions of the public.”