A panel of leading experts has renewed its call for urgent action to harness the UK’s untapped tidal range energy potential in the Severn Estuary. They emphasize the need to pursue smaller-scale tidal lagoon projects over the long-debated full-scale barrage.
The Severn Estuary Commission, launched in 2022 by the Western Gateway Powerhouse coalition, has concluded that the estuary’s immense tidal force could provide predictable, renewable electricity independent of weather conditions—potentially supplying up to 7% of the UK’s electricity demand and delivering 8 to 12 gigawatts of clean energy.
While rejecting the long-considered idea of a whole barrage, the commission urged the UK and Welsh governments to support lagoon-based models, which are more environmentally compatible and economically viable.
Dr Andrew Garrad, Chair of the Commission and renowned renewable energy pioneer emphasized the estuary’s environmental sensitivity and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. “Understanding the huge potential of this renewable energy source while also recognizing the international environmental importance of the estuary has been eye-opening. What makes this study different is the strong emphasis placed on environmental considerations,” he said.
He stressed the mounting urgency, citing the rising demand for electricity due to the growth of electric vehicles, electrified heating systems, data centres, and industrial decarbonization efforts. “We must act now to develop these projects to meet future energy needs while reducing carbon emissions and protecting our natural heritage,” Garrad added.
The commission, made up of respected engineers, scientists, financiers, and academics, has engaged with hundreds of stakeholders across the region—from Swansea to Swindon—to explore viable pathways for tidal energy development in light of the global energy security crisis reignited by the war in Ukraine.
Their findings reinforce the importance of accelerating investment in homegrown, renewable energy infrastructure and leveraging natural resources like the Severn Estuary to strengthen the UK’s energy resilience and climate commitments. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: John Bracegirdle/Alamy