Green groups see red over Severn estuary barrage shortlist
09 May 2009
Four of the largest British green groups have condemned the government's shortlist of renewable energy schemes for the Severn estuary barrage as 'biased'. The National Trust, RSPB, WWF and the Anglers' Trust claim that the way in which the options for generating large amounts of green electricity from the estuary were chosen was seriously flawed.
The groups, which together represent at least 8 million people have alleged bias towards large-scale projects in selection of options.
In January this year, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) chose five schemes from a shortlist of 10 and in the process rejected a tidal reef scheme that would be less ecologically damaging according to the groups.
The shortlist summarily rejected all lagoon-technology based proposals, although the government did announce £500 million worth of funding to keep the option on the table.
The decision to exclude lagoon technologies from the shortlist drew the ire of conservation groups who approached engineering consultancy firm Atkins to commission their own viability study.
According to the report prepared by Atkins, the government shortlist probably ignored the potential for generating energy from other more ecologically sensitive schemes. The Atkins review of the Severn options points out that government used outdated figures.
Atkins' calculations, reveal that the barrage could cost up to £44 billion, double the current estimate. The review also said the government under-estimated the potential of a tidal reef to generate electricity.
Ministers have publicly backed plans for a giant £12 billion barrage between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare, saying it could provide as much as 6 per cent of UK electricity. This would go a long way in meeting the 15 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, they say.
But the scheme will have a major impact on the Severn's tidal range, reducing the amount of land and food for wildlife. The barrage could also severely affect the breeding conditions for birds. Also, the depletion of food sources could mean large scale starvation for avian species.
The Severn estuary, with its 45-foot tidal range is unique in Europe and is the second largest after the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. Outgoing tides uncover large stretches of mudflats, saltmarshes and rocky islands and food that sustains on an average 65,000 birds in winter.
The area of the estuary that would be submerged under the barrage includes internationally protected wetlands and numerous sites of special scientific interest protected by UK law.
According to Martin Harper, head of sustainable development at the RSPB said, "The government doesn't need to rush to judgment on this. If they do, there is a serious risk they will pick the wrong project. As this review shows, that could mean unnecessary damage to the environment and an oversized bill for the taxpayer."
