UK: Conference Held on Severn Estuary’s Tidal Potential

June 28, 2013

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru organized a conference on Severn Estuary’s tidal energy potential on Wednesday, June 26, which gathered engineering and environmental experts, but also officials like First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones.

The conference came a couple of weeks after the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee issued a report rejecting Severn barrage proposed by Hafren Power, but also any such large renewable energy project. The attendees discussed on the vast possibilities Severn Estuary has when it comes to exploiting tidal energy.

“This week’s disappointingly negative Parliamentary select committee report puts the ball firmly in the Government’s court. The plans are in place; the £25 billion from private investors is on standby but won’t be forever. The truth is this incredibly important project – promising 50,000 jobs to build the biggest ever source of clean green energy – can only succeed if the government wants it to. Secretary of State for Energy Ed Davey needs to take the lead and work with Hafren Power to satisfy the Select Committee’s concerns.

“Unless he does so soon, this project is going nowhere. I have spent the past year trying to persuade the Government to make a decision; it’s high time they did so,” former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain is quoted by Penarth Times as saying.

Keith Jones, director of ICE Wales Cymru, said that Severn Estuary holds a great potential that can contribute to the UK’s energy demand.

“We are therefore encouraged that Hafren Power remains committed to making the environmental and economic case for a barrage to Government. Given the environmental issues, risks and costs associated with any first of a kind project of this scale – and the fact that it would require a guaranteed price for the electricity generated – it would be sensible to also explore other smaller, lower risk schemes,” Penarth Times cited Mr. Jones.

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Offshore WIND Staff, June 28, 2013; Image: hafrenpower