Environmentalists see red as UK pushes $28 billion tidal-power project

30 Jan 2009

1

Environmentalists and politicians have both opposed the UK government's plans to harness tidal power from the Severn estuary, saying it would be a recipe for disaster for those living near Lavernock Point in Penarth – the site of one of the proposals.

The UK government has shortlisted five from 10 tidal power schemes proposed over the last six months. These include a 10-mile barrage from Lavernock Point in Penarth to Brean Down, Weston Super Mare.  (See: British government considering schemes to harness tidal power

Called the Cardiff Weston Barrage, it crosses the Severn estuary from Brean Down, near Weston super Mare to Lavernock Point, near Cardiff. Its estimated capacity is over 8.6 Gigawatts – twice that of the UK's largest fossil fuel power plant - and it could generate nearly 5 per cent of UK electricity.

The project, estimated to cost £16 billion ($28 billion), would have the greatest direct impact on Penarth and Sully.

The other projects shortlisted are:

Shoots Barrage: Further upstream of the Cardiff Weston scheme. Capacity of 1.05GW, similar to a large fossil fuel plant.

Beachley Barrage: The smallest barrage on the proposed shortlist, just above the Wye River. It could generate 625MW.

Bridgwater Bay Lagoon: This scheme is sited on the English shore between east of Hinkley Point and Weston super Mare. It could generate 1.36GW.

Fleming Lagoon: An impoundment on the Welsh shore of the estuary between Newport and the Severn road crossings. It too could generate 1.36GW.

The UK government sees the Severn, which has the second-largest tidal range in the world, as a major source of renewable energy. But opponents of the scheme say the authorities have not considered the impact of the project on people living in the area of the proposed barrage.

They say the proposed Lavernock-Weston barrage would land close to residential areas while thousands live within a mile or two of the project.

These people stand to lose their homes and their life savings in their property.

Announcing the projects shortlisted, secretary for energy and climate change Ed Miliband said: "Fighting climate change is the biggest long-term challenge we face and we must look to use the UK's own natural resources to generate clean, green electricity.... The Severn estuary has massive potential to help achieve our climate change and renewable energy targets,''

He, however, added: ''We want to see how that potential compares against the other options for meeting our goals.''

"We have tough choices to make. Failing to act on climate change could see catastrophic effects on the environment and its wildlife, but the estuary itself is a protected environment, home to vulnerable species, including birds and fish,'' he said.

The project is estimated to generate up to five per cent of the UK's energy needs and create thousands of jobs, but the proponents of the project seem to have discounted the fact that it could be disastrous for the area.

Miliband said the project will be put to a three month public consultation before a final shortlist is confirmed.

He also announced £500,000 of new funding to further develop newer technologies such as tidal reefs and fences, which featured in the original 10 proposals.

The preferred project is due to be selected in 2010.

Business History Videos

History of hovercraft Part 3...

Today I shall talk a bit more about the military plans for ...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of hovercraft Part 2...

In this episode of our history of hovercraft, we shall exam...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Hovercraft Part 1...

If you’ve been a James Bond movie fan, you may recall seein...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Trams in India | ...

The video I am presenting to you is based on a script writt...

By Aniket Gupta | Presenter: Sheetal Gaikwad

view more