Latest news with #SevernEstuaryCommission
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'UK should not ignore Severn Estuary tidal lagoon recommendations'
The UK should not ignore the potential to generate 2% of its electricity from a tidal lagoon, the author of a commissioned report has Severn Estuary Commission recommended in March that a lagoon scheme would be the best way to harness tidal power from the River Severn and help the UK reach its net zero commission chair, Dr Andrew Garrard, has now said: "If we are going to double our energy generation in 25 years, and it has to be indigenous and it has to be low carbon, how can you possibly ignore a source of energy which is 2% of our needs in one go? It's a slam dunk."The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it is "open to considering well-developed proposals". The recommendations mark a change from previous reviews that have suggested larger barrage infrastructure should be built across the Severn, but that without formal government support, failed to attract funding. Lagoon v Barrage Tidal lagoons are typically loop shaped enclosures which collect water during high tide and release it through turbines to generate are seen as having a lower environmental impact compared with dam-like barrages, which work on the same principal, but span the full width of a river, estuary or to seven previous studies have recommended a barrage structure for the Severn Estuary, all of which have failed to advance due to environmental, political and financial Garrard hopes the commission's re-think on how to harness energy created by the Severn might have more success."A barrage would be very disruptive to both the Welsh and the English ports, so that's a major commercial consideration," he added."It also adds a huge environmental impact, the environment on the Severn is of global significance, so it desperately needs to be protected."We really need to build something now and stop having further studies and discussion." The Severn Estuary is one of the largest in Europe and is one of its most important wildlife habitats, according to the saltmarshes and mudflats are used by an average 74,000 birds each winter while its waters support more than 100 fish species and vast numbers of invertebrates. Following the publication of the report the RSPB welcomed the commission's rejection of a barrage, which it called "environmentally unacceptable".However it warned "tidal lagoons also present significant risks to nature that have not been overcome so far and must not be ignored".RSPB Cymru head of nature policy and casework Annie Smith added that while they supported a "rapid transition to renewable energy... this must be achieved in ways that do not further jeopardise our declining wildlife".Former Labour Welsh secretary Lord Peter Hain was also concerned about the proposals, calling them a very expensive "cop out" in March."Lagoons do harness tidal power but... they are very expensive and are a cop out which won't harness the ginormous but untapped natural power of the Severn Estuary," he told BBC Wales at the time. The River Severn has the second highest tidal range in the world, which reaches 15 metres during spring tides.A tidal lagoon would cost about £10bn, most of which would have to come from private investment, and could generate at least 2% of the UK's electricity needs each is estimated it would take up to a decade to become operational, but would last up to 120 years."Two per cent might sound like a small number, but it's actually a huge amount of energy," Dr Garrard added."So two of those lagoons would be the same as Hinkley Point C [a nuclear power station] just down the coast."A lagoon would have at least a 120-year life, [in comparison] a typical power station has 30, and offshore wind farm has 30, Hinkley probably has 60."The Severn Estuary Commission's report did not look in to specific scheme options or locations, but it is understood the banks of the estuary in Somerset would be a viable place. Ambition and funding The UK has so far failed to bring forward any large-scale tidal lagoons, but it is hoped a privately backed Swansea Bay project will be developed in the coming the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is pushing ahead with a tidal barrage across the River of the Mersey Tidal Project began in earnest in 2015 and it could be operational by the end of the next Shaun Benzon, head of project development, said the barrage has been able to progress due to strong local political will."We've had an ambition as a combined authority which has been strongly supported by our Mayor, Steve Rotheram," he added."By having a key champion behind the project, and also having the ability to fund the development of the project to this phase through our devolved funding we've been able to act ahead of the others." The UK Marine Energy Council estimate the wave and tidal industries will be worth £50bn to the UK economy by a statement, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it is on a "clean power mission" to "get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets" while "protecting business and household finances with clean, homegrown energy that we control"."We are open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing the power of our bays, estuaries and coastlines, which demonstrate value for money", the spokesperson added.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Campaign for Severn tidal lagoon continues despite losing UK Government funding
Campaign for Severn tidal lagoon continues despite losing UK Government funding A report in March called for the UK and Welsh Governments to support the new scheme The M48 Severn Bridge (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) A campaign in support of a tidal lagoon to generate energy from the Severn Estuary will continue despite the organisation behind it losing its UK Government funding. The Severn Estuary Commission published a document in March advocating for a tidal lagoon. The report urged both the UK and Welsh governments to back the project, which would be smaller than a previously rejected barrage spanning the Severn. The Cardiff Capital Region, representing the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now collaborate on the proposal. The commission was previously hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, which united 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses to focus on economic development. However, this partnership is set to formally disband in June. Initially formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016, the partnership expanded and received UK Government support from 2019. However, the Labour government announced in its October budget that it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships. Instead, it wants the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work. Article continues below Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby stated that while the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership, it was represented through the Cardiff Capital Region, which she chairs. She informed councillors that collaboration with English councils on economic development, including initiatives proposed by the Severn Estuary Commission, will persist. She remarked: "While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses. "Particularly, the Severn Estuary Commission's suggestion, under the auspices of the Western Gateway Partnership, to capitalise on the tidal energy of the Severn, will be pursued in partnership by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority." She mentioned that a memorandum of understanding is being prepared for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region, with shared goals of enhancing transport connections and seeking avenues for "green, sustainable growth." Labour Councillor Brocklesby revealed she has reached out to Helen Godwin, who was recently elected Labour's West of England mayor, and looks forward to meeting her. She also has engagements lined up with Jo Stevens, the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, as well as discussions with the Welsh Government and plans to meet Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes. Article continues below She highlighted that the council engages with both governments to ensure Monmouthshire reaps the benefits from their respective "growth agendas", while she has also presented evidence before a Westminster select committee. Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon, Tomos Davies, questioning the UK Government's move to cut funding for a key partnership, inquired whether Cllr Brocklesby would "use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge." He further pressed Cllr Brocklesby on how she intended to champion "further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships."
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tidal lagoon support from Cardiff Capital Region and WECA
A document calling for a tidal lagoon was published in March by the Severn Estuary Commission in a report that called for the UK and Welsh governments to support the project which would be smaller than a barrage spanning the Severn which it rejected. The Cardiff Capital Region, that represents the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now work together on the proposal. The commission had been hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, that brought together 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses, to work together on economic development but is formally disbanding in June. The partnership was first formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016 before expanding and receiving UK Government support from 2019. But the Labour government announced in its October budget it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships and wanted the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work instead. Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby said the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership but represented through the Cardiff Capital Region that she chairs. She told councillors work with English councils on economic development, including the proposals put forward by the Severn Estuary Commission, will continue. She said: 'While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses. 'Notably the recommendation of the Severn Estuary Commission, hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, to harness the tidal power of the Severn will be taken forward jointly by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority.' She said a memorandum of understanding for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region is being drafted and they share interests of improving transport links and exploring opportunities of 'green, sustainable growth.' Labour's Cllr Brocklesby said she has already written to Helen Godwin, who was elected as Labour's West of England mayor earlier this month, and is due to meet with her and also has a meeting planned with the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, as well as with the Welsh Government and meets with Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes. She said the council works with both governments so Monmouthshire can benefit from their 'growth agendas' while she has also given evidence to a Westminster select committee. Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon Tomos Davies, who had asked for a statement on the UK Government's decision to withdraw the partnership's funding, asked if Cllr Brocklesby would 'use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge.' He also wanted to know how Cllr Brocklesby would advocate for 'further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships.'
Business News Wales
09-05-2025
- Science
- Business News Wales
Tidal Range 'Could be the Missing Part of the Jigsaw on Clean Energy'
Tidal range could be 'the missing part of the jigsaw on clean energy'. The comment came during a hearing of the UK's Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, which met experts who recommended that UK Government harness the tidal energy of the Severn Estuary. Last month the Severn Estuary Commission recommended that a tidal lagoon be developed which could generate a large amount of low carbon electricity as part of a commercial demonstration project that could create 2-3% of the UK's total energy supply. Three commissioners including the Chair, Dr Andrew Garrad CBE, took part in a broadcast session called 'Tidal Power and the Severn' which looked to understand the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of developing tidal range energy in the estuary. During the hearing, one of the committee members commented that tidal range could be 'the missing part of the jigsaw on clean energy' as part of questions around habitat legislation and job creation. With UK electricity demand set to more than double by 2050, the commissioners repeated their call to the committee for urgent investment to explore this source of energy. The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee is a cross-party group of parliamentarians which has a key role in scrutinising UK Government energy policy. Alongside the commissioners, the committee also spoke to Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway, Shaun Gaffey, Senior Planner at RSPB Cymru, and Dr Athanasios Angeloudis, Reader in Environmental Fluid Mechanics at School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. This select committee hearing follows the launch of the commission's recommendations in March. In these recommendations, the commission concluded that tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary could deliver much needed, predictable, renewable electricity. Dr Andrew Garrad, Chair of the Severn Estuary Commission, said: 'I am very grateful to the committee for their time to discuss this important issue. 'Our commission met over 500 stakeholders and over 200 organisations over the last year to help come to our conclusions. Ours was the latest in a long series of commissions and studies, but our approach has been different to our predecessors and, as a result we are confident that our recommendations provide a practical way forward to make sure we can harness much needed renewable energy from one of the world's highest tidal ranges. 'Given that demand for clean electricity in the UK is set to increase rapidly, we need action now to make sure we can meet that demand in the future.' Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway, said: 'The power of the Severn Estuary has long been known. Despite this, nothing has ever been built to harness this natural energy. 'With rising sea levels and an increasing need for localised low carbon energy, we need Government to act now to harness this incredible one-of-a-kind resource for the benefit of our future generations. 'I am grateful to the work of the commission and to the committee for their time. With their recommendations, our local leaders are looking to unite to ensure we can take these forward and I call on the UK Government to pledge their support.' The Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal ranges in the world with a 14m difference between low and high tide at its peak. In the past, a tidal barrage has been presented as a potential solution for harnessing this natural form of predictable energy, but this option was ruled out by the commission for its high environmental impact.
Wales Online
24-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Big step forward for plan for world's first tidal range lagoon in Severn Estuary
Big step forward for plan for world's first tidal range lagoon in Severn Estuary There are hopes to make Wales 'a world centre for emerging tidal technologies' with a report suggesting a lagoon could supply up to 7% of the country's current electricity The Prince of Wales bridge (Image: John Myers ) The world's first tidal range lagoon has taken a huge step forward, after being backed by a major commission report. The proposal, recommended by the Severn Estuary Commission, aims to harness the immense tidal range of the estuary to produce predictable, low-carbon electricity. The project, if realised, would help the UK meet its soaring demand for clean energy and stabilise the national grid. The Severn Estuary Commission's report brought together figures from engineering, industry, environmental science and trade unions to assess the best renewable option for the area. Its findings point clearly to a tidal lagoon as the optimal solution balancing green energy output, environmental concerns, and economic activity, including the protection of commercial operations at the Port of Bristol. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter welcomed the report and called for urgent government support to turn the recommendation into reality, Bristol Live reports. Mr Slaughter said: "With the second largest tidal range in the world, we have a unique chance to spearhead this technology for the world. This is something Wales Green Party has long campaigned for. "Too often industry in Wales has been extractive, with profits shipped elsewhere. "This gives us the chance to focus on research and development, and anchor excellent quality jobs here in Wales and neighbouring English regions." Cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans MS, wrote: 'We want to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technologies, and the Severn Estuary is a source of immense potential energy as one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. "I welcome the work of the Severn Estuary Commission and I look forward to working with the UK Government and the Western Gateway to make sure that we can harness its potential whilst also protecting this unique asset." As part of its key findings, the Severn Estuary Commission recommendations read: "The Severn Estuary, with its 14m tidal range, is the largest tidal energy resource in the UK. Alone it could supply up to 7% of the country's current electricity, potentially making it a significant part of the solution to the UK's energy needs. "Given the long planning and development lead times, if it is to contribute to achieving net zero by 2050, then development should start as soon as possible. "Use of this resource aligns with the Government's strategy to become a 'clean energy superpower', ensuring the availability of reliable, indigenous energy that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and imported energy. Article continues below "As part of a diverse renewable energy mix, tidal range complements offshore wind, solar, and nuclear, enhancing grid stability and energy security." New Civil Engineer reports how plans for a large barrage across the Severn Estuary were previously put forward in the 1980s but were shelved due to cost and environmental concerns. It adds that, in 2010, they were raised again but then dropped by the UK Government after it decided that low carbon energy could be more easily generated from new nuclear and offshore wind.
