news story

25th May 2007

Energy White Paper - Warm Words Are Not Enough On Barrage

Northavon MP Steve Webb has condemned the lack of firm action on harnessing the tidal power of the River Severn in the newly published Energy White Paper.

The long-awaited document makes brief mention of the proposals for a tidal barrage in the Severn and says that tidal power "..could make a significant contribution towards meeting the twin challenges of climate change and security of supply".

However, the White Paper goes no further, simply saying that the Government is now waiting until September for the results of an investigation by the Sustainable Development Commission before "..indicating what it considers to be appropriate next steps".  Only recently this report was expected to be published in July, so this represents a further slippage of two months in the timescale.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"People have been talking about harnessing the tidal power of the Severn for decades, but still we have no concrete action. This White Paper is a missed opportunity to give a clear signal of government commitment to action.

"We now have to wait for another government report to be published and no doubt further delay while they consider their response to that. It is time that the Government committed to a detailed study specifically on the options for the Severn, including a full assessment of the environmental impact. There is no need to wait until September.

"What was needed was urgent action but what we got was more hot air".

Click here for Steve Webb's recent debate in Parliament on harnessing tidal power from the Severn