The Sustainable Development Commission has described the UK’s tidal resources as ‘outstanding’ and has encouraged the development of the Severn Barrage.

The Severn Estuary is the second largest tidal range resource in the world and the SDC believe a barrage could harness the potential energy for 120 years.

SDC spokesperson, Rhian Thomas, said: “Developing a Severn barrage would result in significant climate change and energy security benefits.”

Thomas has urged the government to continue their controversial feasibility study, despite environmental groups questioning the relevance of the investigation.

“The UK must ‘stay the course’ in developing these technologies, as the export and climate change benefits are potentially very large,” said Thomas.

Boost

A recent report by the SDC concluded that a publicly owned barrage could exploit the River Severn's natural tidal energy resources and provide a major boost to the economy, while causing minimal disruption to local wildlife habitats.

However, the impact of the barrage would cause problems for the large fishing industry based around the area, with many local ports voicing their concerns.

Gloucester Harbour Trustees Marine Officer, Mike Johnson, said: “All the talk is about solving energy issues, but every local port has expressed their unhappiness about the adverse effects of a barrage.”

“I cannot conceive a barrage with the problems it would cause us,” added Johnson. “It would be substantially costly.”

 

 

Councillor Helen Harrison calls on the government to embrace the project and research into it.

 

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