Severn Barrier - surely good news for FGW passengers?

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

"New Environment Agency boss Lord Smith has attacked proposals for the controversial Severn Barrage, claiming it will destroy fish stocks and wreck bird habitats.

The former Cabinet minister also used his first interview in his new position to warn that stretches of Britain's coastline will have to be abandoned and people evacuated from the most threatened areas.

His outspoken denunciation of the ambitious plans for a massive Severn Barrage will embarrass Business Secretary John Hutton, who has signalled his enthusiasm for the project.

As Chris Smith, Lord Smith was Culture, Media and Sport Secretary under Tony Blair, and he remains influential within Government circles."

For full details, see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Severn-Barrage-comes-new-boss-Environment-Agency/article-278761-detail/article.html

[bemmy]

The tidal lagoon idea seems good in principle to me, although it wouldn't provide the high speed rail link to Wales that some people are dreaming of.

However I doubt the Barrage will ever happen in any form. IMO^▸ (in my opinion), the reason it's being discussed at all is so that when the government decides against it, it can form part of the case for the massive expansion of nuclear power.

[Lee]

The plan to build a barrage across Severn near Bristol will not help the Government meet its renewable energy targets because it will take until at least 2023 to complete, warned an influential Lords committee (link below.)
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Severn-barrage-t-help-Government-energy-targets/article-425503-detail/article.html

They warned the Government that detailed analysis before building begins and the scale of the construction project would delay the barrage's completion.

The barrage would not be ready in time to count towards the target of producing 15 per cent of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s energy from greener sources by 2020.

EU^» (European Union - about) rules allow unfinished schemes under way before the deadline to be counted towards the total if they are likely to be fully operational by 2022.

The feasibility study will be completed in two years, but it will take another four years to draw up in-depth plans ^ and construction will take at least nine years.

[Btline]

Better get cracking then!

[Lee]

Further article link.
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/news/Energy-barrage-20-years-away/article-426825-detail/article.html

[Chris from Nailsea]

A proposed shortlist of schemes to harness renewable energy from the tides of the Severn estuary has been announced by the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Government.

Five projects have been selected from 10 examined over the last six months.

Among these is a 10-mile barrage proposal from Lavernock Point, Vale of Glamorgan, to Somerset, which has come under fire from environmental groups.

Two other barrage schemes and two lagoons, which section off the estuary but do not dam it, are also considered.

Backers of the the lagoon projects say their proposals would be less damaging to wildlife.

The shortlist, unveiled by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, will be put out to public consultation before a final shortlist is confirmed.

The preferred project is due to be selected in 2010. A three-month public consultation on all ten projects and the proposed shortlist begins from Monday.

For full details, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7850609.stm

Video report at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7851911.stm

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Severn barrage tidal energy scheme scrapped by Huhne

Controversial ^30bn plans for a Severn estuary barrage tidal energy project have been scrapped.

Supporters had claimed the 10-mile (16km) dam stretching from Somerset to south Wales would produce up to 5% of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s energy.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said a study had found there was "no strategic case" for the scheme.

Mr Huhne also announced eight potential sites for building new nuclear power stations by 2025. They are at Bradwell in Essex; Hartlepool, Tees; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, Gloucestershire; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk and Wylfa, in Anglesey.

Dungeness, in Kent, and Braystones and Kirksanton, in Cumbria, were rejected.

The Severn barrage had been intended to run from Weston-super-Mare to Cardiff.

Conservative MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) for the Forest of Dean Mark Harper said the feasibility study, carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, showed it was right to look into the detail of the costs and benefits before proceeding. "However, it was expensive and I was not convinced it was the right way forward. Other low carbon options, like new nuclear power stations, seemed to make more sense. I am pleased that the Energy Secretary has also reached this conclusion."

A statement from Gloucester County Council said while it was disappointing that the barrage project had been axed, in the current economic climate it was "totally understandable".

But a spokesman for the RSPB, which was worried about the effect the development would have on bird habitats, said it was pleased to see the barrage proposal "die another death".

"The Severn is one of the tidal energy hotspots of the world and its future has to be one of a more sustainable technology - one that taxpayers, engineers and environmentalists can all celebrate."

The Severn estuary has the second-largest tidal range in the world with 42ft (12.8m) tides.

The feasibility report found it would be difficult to attract private investment and the project represented "high risk".

Mr Huhne did not rule out the possibility of the barrage as a longer term option in the future, if market conditions improved. He said: "The study clearly shows that there is no strategic case at this time for public funding of a scheme to generate energy in the Severn estuary. Other low carbon options represent a better deal for taxpayers and consumers. However, with a rich natural marine energy resource, world leading tidal energy companies and universities, and the creation of the innovative Wave Hub facility, the area can play a key role in supporting the UK's renewable energy future."

Gary Smith, from the GMB union, which represents many power station workers, welcomed news of investment in the nuclear industry. He said: "These are very big investments and the financing has to be properly under-pinned. Carbon capture and storage and nuclear are the only real shows in town in terms of supplying the base load for electricity in a carbon-free way. Other sources have a role but they cannot supply the base load of electricity the UK needs," he added.

[paul7575]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Severn barrage tidal energy scheme scrapped by Huhne

But a spokesman for the RSPB, which was worried about the effect the development would have on bird habitats, said it was pleased to see the barrage proposal "die another death".

"The Severn is one of the tidal energy hotspots of the world and its future has to be one of a more sustainable technology - one that taxpayers, engineers and environmentalists can all celebrate."

Taken in the order in the BBC piece, that second paragraph doesn't sound like an RSPB view does it?  Is it accidentally 'unattributed'...

Paul

[Chris from Nailsea]

Actually, I share your puzzlement, Paul - but I merely quoted what the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) journalist wrote! 

[bemmy]

However I doubt the Barrage will ever happen in any form. IMO^▸ (in my opinion), the reason it's being discussed at all is so that when the government decides against it, it can form part of the case for the massive expansion of nuclear power.

knew it! 

[paul7575]

Actually, I share your puzzlement, Paul - but I merely quoted what the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) journalist wrote! 

I should really have said it looks as though the BBC have left it without an attribution, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who did a double take...

Paul

[Tim]

However I doubt the Barrage will ever happen in any form. IMO^▸ (in my opinion), the reason it's being discussed at all is so that when the government decides against it, it can form part of the case for the massive expansion of nuclear power.

You are a cynic...but you just might be right!

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) (22/10/2010):

Firm says Severn barrage plan could be resurrected

A private company has said it could resurrect the abandoned Severn barrage plan.

The government pulled out of the ^30bn Severn estuary barrage tidal energy project on Monday, saying it was not economically viable.

Now Corlan Hafren Ltd has expresssed interest in taking over the scheme to harness tidal power.

The company said it believed it could build the barrage from Somerset to south Wales and make money.

Ben Hamer, director of Halcrow Group Ltd, a partner in the project, said: "The public sector hasn't the money.

"We've been talking with potential investors to identify their appetite. We believe the finance will come."

Supporters had claimed the 10-mile (16km) dam would produce up to 5% of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s energy.

But Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said a study had found there was "no strategic case" for the scheme.

Mr Hamer said he welcomed the government's announcement not to proceed with the project using public money.

"We don't see that as a barrier to progressing as long as we are getting the right messages coming out of government to support us," he said.

[anthony215]

Just seen this on the western mails website:


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/12/07/uk-government-considering-new-multi-billion-plan-for-barrage-across-severn-estuary-91466-29906045/

[BerkshireBugsy]

I seem to rememeber news articles about a proposed barrage as far back as the 1980s when I moved down to Wales.Also the "news" about a possible airport on the Newport flats seems to crop up from time to time.

Nice to see some news stories never die!