An environmental advisory body in the UK has endorsed plans for a tidal barrage power project, claiming it could generate 5% of the country’s electricity.
In a report out today, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has given the thumbs up for the Severn Barrage project to be built on the Thames Estuary in London.
The report Tidal Power in the UK states that emerging tidal stream technologies "present exciting opportunities for low carbon energy production with potentially huge rewards in terms of export potential from developing this technology."
Drawing on research and public and stakeholder advice to outline the UK's tidal resources, the SDC concludes the project can provide at least 10% of the country's electricity through a combination of technologies. A Severn barrage alone could potentially supply 5%.
But the SDC have also issued a warning that "there will be tough conditions the project needs to meet in order to be considered sustainable."
The report follows a government inquiry into the Severn scheme, which is opposed by a number of green groups.
The barrage has been designed for sea water to pass through at high tide, trapping water in the estuary or basin. When the tide recedes on the sea-side of the barrage, its gates open allowing water to flow through which drives turbines, generating power.
By Ozge Ibrahim
