Experts dismiss 'poor investment'

Marines Current Turbines has described the proposed Severn Barrage as a “very poor investment” and is urging the government to learn from previous studies.

MCT, based in Bristol, is the world’s largest developer of technology using tidal currents for power generation, and it believes the barrage would not justify its funding. 

MCT Technical Director, Peter Fraenkel, said: “The proposed barrage represents a very poor investment – the cost of electricity generation will be unacceptably high.

“All previous barrage studies concluded that the concept is hopelessly uneconomical and this is no different,” Fraenkel said.

Supporters of the project argue that a long-term perspective has to be taken to secure Britain’s carbon-free energy future, despite the costs.

Thornbury Town Councillor, Helen Harrison said: “A barrage would bring jobs to the area, aside from its benefits in terms of producing non-renewable energy, so it would be positive for the local economy and wider community.

“We must go along with the cost in order to secure the long-term future of carbon-free energy,” Cllr Harrison added.

 

 

Friends of the Earth's South Gloucestershire representative Stuart Shales believes that the Severn Barrage would have negative environmental effects and should not go ahead.

 

Related articles -

'Curtains' for fishing industry

Bore could be no more