No "yes" for GBP-25bn Severn Barrage tidal project, for now

Sep 18, 2013 - The UK government made it clear that it cannot support Hafren Power’s Severn Barrage tidal energy scheme the way it looks now and called for more evidence on the project’s environmental, economic and technological viability.

The GBP-25-billion (USD 40bn/EUR 30bn) tidal array plan envisages a dam-like barrage of 18 km (11 miles) to include over 1,000 turbines producing power from tides. If built, it can generate 5% of the UK's electricity, according to estimates.

“To date, Hafren Power have not presented the Government with compelling evidence of their likelihood of raising the necessary levels of finance for such a project,” a document published today says. The British government also noted that the price of the power produced by such a tidal energy farm would be higher than Hafren Power expects.

The government advises the developer to carry out in-depth studies on the effects that the array would have on the environment and to prepare environmental compensation and mitigation plans. Also, it points to the lack of evidence to support the employment estimates and economic benefits calculations presented so far by the developer.

"It is vital that any proposal or set of proposals demonstrate compellingly that they are viable, good value for money for the consumer and environmentally responsible," the government concluded.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.597/EUR 1.196)

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