Commission to explore potential for tidal energy from the Severn Estuary

With the second largest tidal range in the world, the Severn Estuary’s potential to create energy for the UK is once again being explored.

Previous plans to use the waterway between Bristol and Cardiff to generate renewable power have been shelved, largely due to costs and environmental concerns, including the impact on the mud flats.

A new commission is now being launched to reignite the debate over the potential for using the Severn’s tidal power and explore whether there is a viable option to turn it into renewable energy.

The independent body will be announced at the first Western Gateway ‘powerhouse’ conference that will bring together representatives from cities stretching along the M4 corridor from Swindon to Swansea.

It will have an open remit to explore a range of options that will include looking at what energy technology exists, which areas would be appropriate and how environmental impacts can be minimised.

Previous plans to use the vast waterway between Bristol and Cardiff to generate renewable power have been shelved – photo: Paul Box

Katherine Bennett CBE, chair of the Western Gateway Partnership says: “We’ve known for some time that the Severn has huge potential for creating clean renewable energy. With the second largest tidal range in the world, it has been estimated that this could create up to seven per cent of the UK’s total energy needs.

“Following new commitments to combat climate change at COP26 and advances with technology, we want to have another look at the evidence to see whether there is a viable solution to harnessing this energy and protecting our environment. I look forward to seeing more announcements about this commission later this year.”

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The idea of using tidal power in the Severn Estuary to generate energy dates back decades.

Conclusions of a 2010 feasibility report stated such a scheme could cost as much as £34bn and that the scale and impact of any proposed project would be “unprecedented in an environmentally designated area”. Ultimately, the plans at the time stalled.

More than a decade later, developments in technology and the urgent need to switch to renewable energy in order to meet net-zero targets may mean a different outcome.

There is so far little detail about the commission, which is expected to be made up of a range of experts working to assess whether there is now a viable option for using the tidal power of the Severn to create energy for the UK.

No decisions have been made about what a potential solution for getting power from the Severn might look like or whether any development will take place.

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: First Western Gateway conference to focus on ‘greener, fairer future’

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