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Severn tidal power: phase one consultation

Response to Department of Energy and Climate Change, South West Regional Development Agency, Welsh Assembly Government consultation

Summary

The Environment Agency welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation into the feasibility of generating electricity from the tidal energy of the Severn Estuary. Reconciling the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet renewable energy targets, and maintain a reliable and secure supply of energy for the UK whilst protecting the environment will present many difficult decisions.  We will continue to provide expertise and advice to the project to make sure that Governments can make the best possible decisions based on strong evidence.

Climate change is the most significant challenge the UK faces. Urgent action is needed now to ensure that the UK’s future energy supply results in very low levels of greenhouse gas emissions.  We support the development of appropriate energy schemes in the Severn Estuary and elsewhere to secure the reduction in green house gas emissions required by 2050; the particular tidal movements of the Severn have a clear potential for the development of renewable energy. 

The Severn Estuary is however a unique natural environment. The bird and fish habitats in the estuary and its tributaries are among the most important in Europe. We believe that compliance with the Habitats Directive, particularly with respect to migratory fish, is the most difficult challenge for any potential project in the Severn Estuary. All of the options included in the short list will result in  changes – some irreversible — to designated habitats and species.

Given the potential impacts on the environment, Governments must make sure that any energy development in the Severn Estuary is justified both by its contribution to greenhouse gas reduction and energy security, and by how it keeps habitat impacts to a minimum.

We welcome Governments’ commitment to technological innovation in the tidal energy sector. There is a real opportunity for the UK to lead the world in the development of innovative tidal energy technologies resulting in green jobs and investment. Governments will need to ensure that financial and regulatory frameworks support the development of these technologies. We understand that the terms of reference of the Severn Tidal Power study limit the assessment to the consideration of tidal range schemes such as barrages and lagoons.  We believe that tidal stream technologies may also have potential for future deployment in the estuary if their development can be accelerated.

Many investigations are proposed in phase two of the project. By 2010 however, many issues will still remain unresolved. These represent significant sources of uncertainty, which taken together, mean there is a  risk of unforeseen environmental consequences.

Read our full response

For further information on the Severn tidal power feasibility study visit the Department of Energy and Climate Change website