news story

20th September 2009

Liberal Democrats Back Severn Tidal Power Package

Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference today endorsed proposals that would maximise energy production from the Severn Estuary with least damage to the environment.

Rejecting the Government’s proposal of a large barrage from Brean to Lavernock as inappropriate, Conference today passed a motion endorsing:

* The construction of the smaller Shoots Barrage as the best choice to balance environmental, economic and construction concerns

* Increasing the Marine Renewables Fund to encourage the development of innovative tidal range solutions like fences, reefs and lagoons

* Building a tidal impound in the Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary as a pilot project which could provide electricity on demand

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Northavon, Steve Webb said:

“The potential for significant power generation from the Severn Estuary has long been known, but a large barrage risks being a tidal white elephant.

“The threat of catastrophic climate change means there is now real urgency that we get on with harnessing this source of renewable energy in an environmentally responsible way.

“The priority is to get on with generating clean, green energy from the Severn. The large barrage from Brean to Lavernock could take decades to come on stream and would cause untold damage to both the environment and the local economy.

“A smaller barrage will mean more renewable power while remaining sensitive to local ecology and opens up the possibility of a major upgrade to public transport through Wales and the West of England. Along with investment in new technologies and trialing lagoons, it offers the best way forward.”