7th June 2006

 
The future for generating electricity from the severn estuary was discussed at Star Anise on May 26th.

The Coffee House Discussion group heard Peter Ullman from Tidal Electric talk about the development of tidal lagoons, Chris Brain described the legislation that protects the habitat of the estuary and Paul Bryant gave a brief review of the proposal for a barrage across the estuary.

 
The evening attracted many people involved in renewable energy and environmental work as well as the usual mix of people with diverse opinions. Several people were very much in favour of the barrage proposal as a significant part of the solution to our energy problems. Others, including David Drew MP, who came for part of the enening, were opposed to the barrage on environmental grounds and cautiously in favour of other solutions such as tidal lagoons. A significant proportion of the group remained undecided on the best way to generate electricity from the estuary.

Chris Brain, a Green party member and one of the talk organisers, said "The Severn estuary could provide a valuable source of reliable renewable energy and the barrage proposal seems to have many qualities in its favour. But there still are significant environmental and financial questions about the scheme. The supporters of the barrage must answer these questions if they are to get the neccessary public support." 

Chris Brain will be compiling a list of questions to those arguing for the tidal barrage.  In the meantime a much less controversial tidal lagoon system is being built off the coast of Wales. This is an approach advocated by groups like Friends of the Earth.