Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study

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Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study
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Background to the study

• Terms of reference announced in January 08
• Aim of the study To enable Government to decide
  whether it could support a tidal power scheme in
  the Severn Estuary and if so on what terms?
• Focus is on tidal range technologies as this is
  where the main resource of the Estuary lies
• Study expected to last 2 years with public
  consultation after each phase
• Phase 1 (2008) high level issues, scheme
  options appraisal, and scope of Strategic
  Environmental Assessment and other work
• Phase 2 (2009-10) Strategic Environmental
  Assessment, and analysis of costs, risks,
  benefits and overall impact assessment
• Severn tidal power is being considered against
  the alternative options for meeting UK goals
  including energy saving, nuclear and other
  renewable sources

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Why do the study?

• Two key energy imperatives tackling climate
  change, and ensuring a secure supply of energy
• In helping to meet these challenges, Government
  has committed to
• Reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions by 80 by 2050
• Produce 15 of our UK energy from renewable
  resources by 2020
• The huge tidal resources of the Severn Estuary
  could make a significant contribution
• Providing long term access to a renewable,
  indigenous energy resource
• Significant CO2 savings annually and contributing
  to UKs renewable energy targets
• Helping to reduce UKs dependency on imports of
  gas
• Generating positive economic and employment
  benefits
• But it has costs, risks and disadvantages as
  well that must be factored in to any decision

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Feasibility Study Workstreams

• Environment impacts on biodiversity and
  wildlife, flood management, geomorphology, water
  quality, landscape, compliance with environmental
  legislation
• Engineering and Technical options appraisal,
  costs, design and construction, grid linkage,
  supply chain
• Economic financing, ownership, energy market
  impacts
• Regional impact on economy and society
• Planning and consents regulatory compliance
• Stakeholder engagement and communication

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Map of proposed options
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Progress so far Environmental Impacts

• Scheme would slow the tides high tides behind
  it would fall by approx. 1 metre, and low tides
  would be higher.
• Scheme would reduce designated inter-tidal
  areas, displacing protected bird species and
  threatening migratory fish. Scale of impact
  varies between the different schemes.
• Work is underway to assess these impacts and how
  far they could be mitigated. Otherwise, they must
  be compensated for under environmental
  legislation.
• A scheme is not likely to affect upstream
  fluvial flooding (such as those in Tewkesbury in
  2007). Some schemes could help protect against
  storm surge flooding from the sea.
• Further work is considering the impact of
  reduced tides on the suspended sediment in the
  water and on water quality.

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Progress so far Regional Economic Impacts

• Initial assessment completed, focussing on
  whether schemes could result in significant
  impacts on South West England and Wales
• Considered direct and indirect impact of
  construction and operation on jobs and regional
  economy
• Sectors considered include construction,
  transport, fishing, tourism, accommodation,
  residential and population, land use and planning
• Study concluded that there will be gains and
  losses for South West England and Wales, but on
  balance the picture is likely to be positive
• Net benefits are proportionate to scale of the
  scheme
• Currently scoping the further work that needs to
  be done in phase 2

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Proposed shortlist of 5 schemes

• Beachley Barrage
• Bridgwater Bay Lagoon
• Cardiff-Weston Barrage
• Fleming Lagoon
• Shoots Barrage

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Map of proposed shortlist
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Embryonic technologies

• Schemes proposed for the shortlist are those we
  believe could be feasible
• Some schemes, such as a tidal reef and tidal
  fence, are not sufficiently developed for more
  detailed analysis, but may be less
  environmentally damaging than proven technologies
• New 500k fund has been launched by Defra, Welsh
  Assembly Government and South West RDA to support
  the development of embryonic technologies
• Details of scope, funding criteria and timescale
  being worked up with partners
• Embryonic technologies supported by this
  innovative technologies fund will be taken into
  account before decisions are taken on whether to
  go ahead with a Severn tidal power scheme

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What were doing now The consultation

• Before any decision can be taken on whether or
  not to support a Severn tidal power scheme,
  there is much more work and evidence gathering to
  be done
• To help inform this further work, a public
  consultation was launched on 26 January in
  Bristol to seek views on
• - the process by which the long-list of schemes
  have been short listed
• - the proposed short list of schemes for further
  investigation
• - the issues for further study, including the
  scope of the Strategic Environmental
  Assessment
• Public consultation period is 12 weeks, with the
  closing date on 23 April 2009

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Whats next?

• Phase 2 (now 2010)
• Further studies on the impact of the various
  shortlisted schemes, including work on supply
  chain, impact on energy markets and grid studies,
  costs and engineering aspects, financing options,
  impact on regional economies, and an SEA on the
  environment and social impacts.
• Examine shortlisted schemes compliance with
  environmental legislation and suggest ways in
  which adverse environmental effects could be
  mitigated or compensated for.
• 2010
• Second public consultation on the evidence
  gathered and analysis done, in order to inform
  the decision to proceed, the terms of proceeding,
  and a single preferred option.
• Embryonic technologies supported by the
  innovative technologies fund will be considered
  again at this stage.

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Further Information
General information on the study can be found
at www.decc.gov.uk/severntidalpower To read and
download the evidence gathered in phase 1 and to
take part in the consultation
http//severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk T
o contact the central team within DECC
severntidalpowerunit_at_decc.gsi.gov.uk