Book Description

Hafren Power's proposal for an 18km fixed tidal barrage across the Severn estuary between Brean in England and Lavernock Point in Wales is likely to require a very high level of support over many years. It is not believed at this stage that the barrage would be competitive with other low-carbon technologies. Hafren Power have failed to answer the serious environmental concerns about a potential barrage adequately. The scale of mitigation measures and compensatory habitat required is unprecedented, and questions remain about how a barrage such as the one proposed would comply with EU legislation. Tidal energy is a vast resource which remains largely untapped. However, tidal and marine projects must demonstrate their economic, environmental and technological credentials and their ability to gain stakeholder support. The Government should consider whether a smaller tidal facility could develop expertise and provide evidence before a decision about scaling up is taken. Although construction of the barrage would be privately financed, Government support would be required for approximately thirty years through Contracts for Difference (CfD) or a similar mechanism. The long lifecycle of a tidal barrage, thought to operate for over 120 years, could lower the overall levelised cost of energy but is far too distant a prospect to overcome more immediate concerns. The strike price required by Hafren Power is unknown, but the ability of the project to compete with other low-carbon forms of energy is questionable. The likelihood of a high strike price over many years risks eating up an excessively large proportion of the funds available under the Levy Control Framework