Tidal power schemes in the Severn Estuary
Sustainability South West (SSW), the independent champion body of sustainable development in the South West of England, currently has doubts as to whether a large-scale scheme harnessing tidal power in the Severn estuary would be the most sustainable solution to our energy problems. The imperative to consider such a scheme now is understandable, being driven by many issues, the most critical of which is responding to climate change. There is a need to move to renewable, low-carbon sources of energy, with an immediate shift of consumption patterns away from polluting (and finite) fossil fuels. In this context, the predictions that a Severn tidal scheme could secure up to 5% of the UK’s total electricity demand from a renewable energy source are of course appealing. Notwithstanding this potential, and the additional benefits such a scheme might offer in respect of energy security, the environmental and economic ‘costs’ of taking such an approach would appear to be too great. Whilst steps could no doubt be taken to ‘offset’ some of the adverse consequences on the environment, existing habitats and ecosystems would be irretrievably damaged or lost. Proposals for alternative habitat (possibly even overseas) would seem to be inadequate compensation. In order to reach a position, SSW has consulted with its membership, and appraised large-scale tidal power schemes in the Severn against the Sustainability Shaper (the Regional Sustainable Development Framework for the South West). As a consequence there are many questions which SSW believes need to be addressed in the official Government study of tidal schemes, including:
- Could greater emissions reductions, and energy security benefits be achieved within the same (or perhaps shorter) timeframe by pursuing different energy options?
- The costs of currently proposed tidal schemes are significant. What impact could there be from applying similar levels of funding to a wider range of smaller-scale schemes which might also carry less risk, and be more flexible in responding to need and technological change?
- Is due consideration being given to efficiency measures within existing systems? Could action in this area, and in ‘demand management’, negate the need for expensive technical solutions such as tidal power?
- What value is being put on the environment in the estuary, and the services that it provides? This needs to be part of the cost-benefit analysis of any scheme.
- How do we identify the true cost of any habitat loss, and quantify how and where any compensatory habitat could and should be created? How do we measure success, and when should such habitat be created - before construction, during, after?
- Are there other technical options which would be more benign, or more beneficial, but which are not included in the options being considered in the current feasibility study?
- What balance is being struck between local and global issues and concerns? Is local conservation putting local concerns above global benefits?
- Is the timescale of any proposed development too long, and thus any solution too late, or could a tidal power scheme be seen to be a sustainable legacy for future generations – partial compensation for the over-use of fossil fuel energy sources by recent generations?
- Are the wider social impacts of any scheme being taken into account?
Armed with responses to these issues, and others, SSW will review its position, as generally it is supportive of renewable energy initiatives. However, it is currently our view that other solutions may be able to provide similar benefits for less cost, in a shorter time-frame, and with less damage.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.