AN independent commission is being set up to assess tidal renewable projects in the Severn Estuary, including a barrage which could generate 7% of the 海角视频’s electricity needs.
The commission has been greenlit by the Western Gateway, a cross-border partnership stretching from Swansea in the west to Swindon in the east - covering a population of 4.4 million. While respecting the devolved settlement in Wales and emerging mayoral powers in the west of England, the public-private partnership is seen as creating an economic powerhouse on a footing with the more established Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine in England.
Over the years a number of Severn barrage projects, creating energy from one of the world’s highest tidal ranges, have been proposed, but never realised.
Depending on the length of a barrage it would cost anything from £20bn to £30bn.
The last proposed barrage scheme, from a company called Hafren Power, proposed a 18 kilometre barrage from Lavernock Point in the Vale of Glamorgan to the Brean Peninsula on the English side of the estuary in Somerset.
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The Hafren Power project though had little support from then the 海角视频 Government of David Cameron. However, with the Welsh and 海角视频 Government seeking to reach net zero by 2050 - and the recent government agreement between Plaid Cymru and Labour seeking to bring that 15 years forward in Wales - a barrage could now be in a better position to get government backing in terms of energy security and its mitigation against rising levels on both sides of the estuary from climate change.
Just getting planning consent for such a scheme - assuming the 海角视频 Government approved it through a possible hybrid bill - with the necessary economic and environmental assessments could cost more than £200m.
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Funding for it construction, which from planning to completion could take up to 15 years, could come from a variety of sources, including pension and sovereign wealth funds attracted by a steady income stream from a barrage that could generate clean energy for more than a century.
The commission will also look at the feasibility of other tidal renewable projects in the Severn Estuary.
Katherine Bennett, chair of the Western Gateway, which is today holding a green growth conference at the Celtic Manor in Newport, said: “We’ve known for some time that the Severn has huge potential for creating clean renewable energy. With the second largest tidal range in the world, it has been estimated that this could create up to 7 per cent of the 海角视频’s total energy needs.
“Following new commitments to combat climate change at COP 26 and advances with technology, we want to have another look at the evidence to see whether there is a viable solution to harnessing this energy and protecting our environment. I look forward to seeing more announcements about this commission later this year.”
Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council and vice chair of the Western Gateway, said: “The time is right to look again at what could be an incredible source of clean, environmentally friendly energy on our doorstep.
“We need to play our part in finding solutions to the global climate crisis and the commission will have the expertise and independence it needs to explore whether using the Severn Estuary to create sustainable power is attainable and viable.”
Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council and Western Gateway board member, said: “Unlocking the tidal energy potential of the Severn Estuary is of particular significance to Cardiff, as is securing investment into the strategic rail infrastructure linking Cardiff to other core cities and to London. It’s estimated that the Severn Estuary could supply 7% of the 海角视频’s energy needs.
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“The 海角视频 Government has so far not lent its support to such a scheme due to a perceived requirement for high levels of public investment and concerns over the environmental impact on designated areas in the Severn Estuary. However, the changing landscape of the climate emergency, energy insecurity, rising costs, and rapid technological improvements indicate that many of these policy, cost and environmental barriers may no longer be as significant. We want to find out just what could be done to harness this incredible energy resource.”
Ms Mudd and Mr Thomas have been named as the lead board members for tidal energy. Announcements about who will sit on the commission are expected later in the year.
On its composition the partnership said: “It will be made up of a range of experts working together to understand whether there is now a viable option for using the tidal power of the Severn to create clean energy for the 海角视频.”