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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.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tidal electricity plan branded 'expensive cop out'
A tidal lagoon should be created in the Severn Estuary to generate electricity, according to a report. The Severn Estuary Commission rejected proposals for a large barrage spanning the Severn. Instead, it said the UK and Welsh governments should back plans for a smaller project to harness the power of the tide on the England-Wales border. The proposals were criticised by former Labour Welsh secretary Lord Peter Hain, who said lagoons were a very expensive "cop out". The commission said a tidal lagoon demonstration project – the first in the world – would boost the economy and provide a better understanding of tidal power. Demand for electricity in the UK is likely to more than double by 2050, the commission said. The Severn Estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, offering "a rare opportunity" for the UK. Tidal energy plans 'must have nature in mind' Can the UK's tides help wean us off fossil fuels? £60m port revamp aims to create 1,800 jobs There have been several proposals to build a barrage across the Severn, but without formal government support they failed to attract funding. Environmental groups oppose building a barrage in the estuary – a highly-protected wetland of international importance. Lagoons are formed by building a wall around a bay or on the coast to capture water when the tide comes in. At low tide the water is released, turning turbines to generate electricity. There have been proposals to build a lagoon in Swansea Bay. One plan, which had the backing of the Welsh government, was thrown out by the Conservative UK government in 2018 because it did not offer value for money. The Severn Estuary Commission report said the UK and Welsh governments should set up an organisation with the private sector to create the lagoon as a "commercial demonstration project". It would show the potential for tidal power and measure the impact on the local environment. They should also look at ways to compensate for any loss of habitat, it said. The report added: "A lagoon project would provide both engineering experience and real-world monitoring of environmental effects. "Development of a tidal lagoon therefore offers a positive alternative to a barrage." Commission chair Andrew Garrad said if work began now a lagoon could be up and running within 10 years. "It is a big thing and it's going to last for 120 years," he said. "We know how to build a sea wall and the big turbines have been operating in hydro plant all over the world for decades. "The commercial challenge is not engineering – it's logistics and money." But Lord Hain, who quit as shadow Welsh secretary in 2012 to back proposals for a barrage between south Wales and Weston-super-Mare, called the lagoon proposals "very underwhelming, disappointing and confused". "Lagoons do harness tidal power but as the Swansea project proved 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. "You'd need 50 lagoons cluttering up the estuary to rival a barrage which remains by far the best option: delivering cheap electricity with new bi-directional turbines which are fish friendly and generate baseload electricity because its lunar based and therefore predictable and almost constant." RSPB Cymru previously urged the Seven Estuary Commission to strike the right balance in a location "globally important for wildlife, providing vital habitats for tens of thousands of wading birds and water fowl, and for rare fish species that migrate from the sea to spawn in our rivers". Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds called on UK ministers to revive the plans, cancelled in 2018, for a Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. "Tidal power offers huge advantages to Wales, not only in generating electricity but in its potential to create well-paid jobs," she said. "The UK government seems perfectly happy to spend large amounts on infrastructure in the south east of England, its time they made some investments in Wales." Welsh government Economy Secretary, Rebecca Evans, said: "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."
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Severn Barrage ruled out by commission which backs tidal lagoons
A huge Severn Barrage with the potential to generate around 7% of the UK's energy needs has been ruled out by an independent commission which instead is recommending over the long-term a series of commercially viable tidal lagoons. Last year the cross-border Western Gateway Partnership set up an independent commission to assess the potential for renewable projects in the Severn Estuary. The final report from the Severn Estuary Commission said a barrage, that would create reliable and clean energy from one of the world's highest tidal ranges, should not be pursued at this stage, due to its environmental impact, legislative challenges and disruption to ports, such as Bristol, and other commercial activities. Rather than a tidal barrage, for which there have been numerous proposals over the years, it says that a series of commercial tidal lagoons could be developed - although at this stage not specifying any numbers or potential locations. READ MORE: Wales to stage Tour de France race as major announcement to be made this week READ MORE: Joint home nations bid to host men's World Cup floated by Welsh soccer boss The commission said the focus should be on an initial commercially viable demonstration tidal lagoon project, which depending on its scale could range in cost from £2bn to £40bn. It said it would also provide environmental monitoring to help shape any further lagoon projects. With UK electricity demand set to more than double by 2050, the commission have called for urgent investment for what they said could be the last opportunity to realise the clean tidal energy potential of the Severn Estuary. It is calling on the UK and Welsh governments to align their policies underpinned by a tidal range energy national (UK) policy statement, which it said would further establish clear policy backing, confirm government commitment, enhance investor confidence and enable public sector investment in environmental research and monitoring. The commission, chaired by Dr Andrew Garrad, a leading pioneer of the modern wind energy industry, spent a year engaging with more than 500 individuals and over 200 organisations, to gauge the potential for finally harnessing the power of the UK's largest tidal range following proposals going back decades. Plans for the £1.3n Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon were rejected by the then UK Government of Theresa May in 2018 on a value for money assessment with regards to the required contract for difference subsidy. The company behind what would have been effectively a proof of concept lagoon, Tidal Lagoon Power, planned a series of larger lagoons in the estuary, including one off the coast of Cardiff. The commission's report calls for the use of the regulated asset base (RAB) financing model to help de-risk the construction phase of the demonstration project. This would see investors receiving a guaranteed return on investment for the lifetime of the lagoon, with the cost recovered through energy prices charged to consumers. The RAB finance model was used to fund construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel and is being proposed for the planned Sizewell C nuclear power station project. The report from the commission, consisting of nationally and internationally recognised engineers, financiers, scientists and other experts, also recommends that: Both the UK and Welsh Government back the development of a commercially viable demonstration tidal lagoon in the Severn Estuary, which if successful would pave the way for further projects securing economic growth and long-term energy resilience and making the UK a global hub for tidal range energy: Improving cross-border working and planning to ensure any new development can be strategically delivered to ensure best outcomes for the area; and A public sector led initial development approach and the establishment a project delivery vehicle using existing organisations. Dr Garrad said: 'This last year has been an eye-opening experience for all of us on the commission, understanding the huge potential of this source of renewable energy and also the international environmental importance of the estuary. Indeed, what sets this commission aside from previous studies is the emphasis that it has placed on the environment. 'Electricity demand will increase with the widespread uptake of electric vehicles, electrification of heating, industry and proliferation of data centres. We urgently need to get serious about how we can make use of our natural resources to meet this demand whilst also tackling our carbon emissions. 'Given the likely timelines for developing a project of this scale, we need to act now to ensure we can deliver the energy when it is needed and at the same time safeguard the environment.' At this stage the commission has not given a figure on the level of energy output potential for a demonstration lagoon or any further projects, but that it would be be significant. Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said: '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.' Sarah Williams-Gardener, chair of the Western Gateway, said: 'After many years of debate, we now know that the huge potential of tidal energy in the Severn can and should play a key part in our energy supply. 'We need urgent action to make the most of this opportunity. A lagoon project (demonstration) could not only deliver predictable renewable energy, it could also add up to £12bn gross value added to the UK economy and 220,000 job years in the construction phase. 'I am very grateful to the work of this commission to explore this huge opportunity for the UK. On behalf of our board of local authorities, I look forward to working with both UK and Welsh Government to make this a reality.' The Western Gateway Partnership, which is backed by local authorities and the private and education sector from Carmarthenshire to Swindon, was established to champion the economies and investment potential of south Wales and the west of England. It is now facing the loss of its key funding contribution of £1m a year from the UK Government. However, the partnership said that its stakeholders are committed to backing efforts to realise commercially viable tidal lagoon energy generation in the estuary.
The Guardian
19-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Urgent action needed to harness tidal power in Severn estuary, say experts
Urgent action is needed to harness the UK's potential for tidal range energy in the Severn estuary but smaller lagoon models should be pursued over a larger dam-like barrage, a panel of experts has said. The Severn Estuary Commission said that harnessing the energy of the tides in the estuary could deliver predictable, renewable electricity that would work independent of weather conditions. But it stopped short of recommending a full dam-like barrage across the estuary – an idea that has been floated for many years. The commission's chair, Dr Andrew Garrad, who recently received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in recognition of his role in pioneering development the modern wind energy industry, said: 'This last year has been an eye-opening experience for all of us on the commission, understanding the huge potential of this source of renewable energy and also the international environmental importance of the estuary. Indeed, what sets this commission aside from previous studies is the emphasis that it has placed on the environment. 'Electricity demand will increase with the widespread uptake of electric vehicles, electrification of heating, industry and proliferation of datacentres. We urgently need to get serious about how we can make use of our natural resources to meet this demand whilst also tackling our carbon emissions. 'Given the likely timelines for developing a project of this scale, we need to act now to ensure we can deliver the energy when it is needed and at the same time safeguard the environment.' The commission is made up of nationally and internationally recognised engineers, financiers, scientists and other experts, and was launched by the Western Gateway 'powerhouse', a coalition of politicians, business and public sector leaders and academics covering an area stretching from Swansea to Swindon and straddling the Severn. It was launched in 2022 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced the issue of energy security back on the agenda and for the past year has been engaging with hundreds of individuals and organisations to explore if it is now possible to harness the power of the UK's largest tidal range after decades of proposals. The Severn estuary holds the largest share of the UK's tidal range energy potential, estimated at 8 to 12 gigawatts, and could contribute up to 7% of the UK's electricity needs. Publishing its final recommendations on Wednesday, the commission said that, due to environmental impacts, legislative barriers and the impacts on ports and other commercial activities, at this stage the development of a large barrage in the Severn estuary should not be pursued. However, it said a lagoon project – which functions similarly to a barrage but over a smaller body of water – offered a positive alternative and should be backed by the UK and Welsh governments. The UK's National Energy System Operator already predicts that tidal energy will need to play a part in any future energy system. The Severn estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world and could provide the vast majority of the UK's total tidal energy. However, it also remains of international environmental importance. The recommendations have already received the backing of the Welsh government. Sarah Williams-Gardener, chair of the Western Gateway, said: 'We need urgent action to make the most of this opportunity. A lagoon project would not only deliver predictable renewable energy, it could also add up to £12bn GVA (gross value added) to the UK economy and 220,000 job years in the construction phase.'
