Second Severn Crossing

• The UK Government has recognised the need to tackle climate change and has increased our target to reduce carbon emissions to 80% by 2050.
• It has also signed up to generate 20% of the UK’s energy from renewables by 2020. These are very challenging targets.
• As part of the Government’s plan to harness the second largest tidal range in the world from the Severn Estuary, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) began a Feasibility Study in 2007 to assess 10 proposed options into tidal energy for the Severn Estuary.
• The study is expected to last three years, to conclude with a full public consultation on the final decision in 2010.

Tidal power

In January 2009 the Government announced a shortlist of five renewable energy options to harness the power of the tides in the Severn estuary. These are:

• Shoots Barrage – located near the Severn road crossings, estimated to cost £3.2bn to construct and generate 2.7 terawatt hours per year (twh/yr) or just under 1% of UK electricity.
• Beachley Barrage – slightly smaller and further upstream than the Shoots Barrage (and upstream of the Wye), estimated to cost £2.3bn and generate 1.6 twh/yr.
• Fleming Lagoon – an impoundment on the Welsh shore of the Estuary between Newport and the Severn road crossings, estimated to cost £4bn and generate 2.3 twh/yr.
• Bridgwater Bay Lagoon – an impoundment on the English shore of the Estuary between Hinkley Point and Weston Super Mare, estimated to cost £3.8bn and generate 2.6 twh/yr.
• Cardiff-Weston Barrage – located between Brean Down and Lavernock Point, estimated to cost £20.9bn and generate 16.8 twh/yr or some 5% of UK electricity.

However, innovative technologies which place the environment first – such as the tidal reef and tidal fence – have not remained in the shortlist. The Cardiff-Weston barrage is the most damaging option, and would destroy 80% of the internationally important intertidal habitat used by tens of thousands of birds each winter and result in considerable mortality of the internationally protected fish populations. Such a large barrage on the Severn would also be expensive compared to alternative ways of generating renewable electricity. The Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has also announced £500,000 of funding to develop not yet proven technologies such as the tidal reef and tidal fence.

	dunlin in flight - Paul Bowerman

An alternative solution?

The Wildlife Trusts across the UK have called for the Feasibility Study to identify a technology which maximises the generation of renewable energy while minimising damage to the internationally importantwildlife, at an affordable cost to tax-payers and consumers. It should also be compliant with EU law. Breaching the Habitats and Birds Directives would set a dangerous precedent. Equally, we believe the outcome of the study must help the UK be at the forefront of sustainable tidal power technology. The Wildlife Trusts believe an alternative to a barrage can be found which meets energy needs and maintains the habitats upon which birds and fish depend for feeding areas. We are working with other environmental organisations to raise awareness of the estuary’s importance for wildlife, and contributing to the Governments studies to encourage the best choices possible.

For latest information on Avon Wildlife Trust’s response and our work with other Trusts, see also www.wildlifetrusts.org