Compromise between capturing Severn tidal power generation potential and minimising the environment effects must be achieved

(07/04/2010)

The Severn Barrage project is the largest single source of renewable energy available to the UK, with the estuary providing one of the world’s best opportunities to harness energy from tides.

However, according to those preparing the SEA for a feasibility study, a compromise between capturing the power generation potential and minimising the environment effects must be achieved or it risks becoming a pipe-dream.

A cross-government group, led by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, is undertaking a feasibility study to consider whether the Government could support a project that exploits the major energy generation potential of this tidal range, and if so, on what terms.

Converting the power of the Severn Estuary's tides would, in most cases, reduce the tidal range within the estuary and the scale of change could result in substantial loss of inter-tidal estuary habitats. Most of these habitats are protected under national and European law and support a range of similarly protected waterbirds.

Tidal power options could also adversely affect the passage and survival within the Severn Estuary of a range of protected migratory fish species. There is also potential for other effects such as upon water quality, flood risk and land drainage, navigation, the local and regional community, land and seascape, and the historic environment.

For those interested in finding out about the environmental challenges of Severn Tidal Power, Tom Matthewson, Lara Ball and Delyth Toghill from Black & Veatch will be giving a presentation at Water & Environment 2010: CIWEM’s Annual Conference on the 28th April at the Olympia Conference Centre, London.

Related categories:  Wave and tidal power