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Following reports that a private consortium had met with the Prime Minister to discuss a new proposal for a tidal barrage in the Severn Estuary, the Committee launched an inquiry to examine the proposal in more detail and to encourage transparency and public debate. It had been suggested the scheme could meet 5% of the UK's electricity needs from an indigenous renewable source. The proposal from Hafren Power Ltd is for an 18km fixed tidal barrage between Brean in England and Lavernock Point in Wales. It would have 1,026 Very-Low-Head (VLH) bi-directional turbines, generating approximately 16.5 TWh/year on both ebb and flood tides.
The inquiry generated a high level of public interest, but many witnesses were concerned about the lack of detailed, publicly-available information about the project. The lack of robust supporting evidence led to a sense of mistrust on the part of some stakeholders, made worse by the uncertainties surrounding a possible Hybrid Bill. Closer engagement with stakeholders from the outset and a more open approach was needed from the developers of such a huge and unprecedented scheme.
Although construction of the barrage would be privately financed, Government support would be required for approximately thirty years through Contracts for Difference (CfD) or a similar mechanism. The strike price required by Hafren Power is unknown, but the ability of the project to compete with other low-carbon forms of energy is in doubt. A high strike price risks swamping the Levy Control Framework (LCF), while a strike price below £100/MWh appears unlikely to ensure the project's economic viability.
Hafren Power have failed to overcome the serious environmental concerns that have been raised. Further research, data and modelling are needed before environmental impacts can be determined with any certainty - in particular regarding fluvial flood risk, intertidal habitats and impact to fish. The need for compensatory habitat on an unprecedented scale casts doubt on whether the project could achieve compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.
Construction of such a large-scale barrage would inevitably create jobs but could also lead to job losses in local businesses and in particular the ports industry. An independent assessment of the overall net employment impact is needed.
While a tidal barrage could offer decarbonisation and energy security benefits, the Hafren Power project in its current form has not demonstrated sufficient value as a low-carbon energy source to override regional and environmental concerns. Alternative pathways exist to meeting our 2050 carbon targets.
Alternative options for exploiting Severn tidal resources also exist. Stronger public governance of these resources would offer the opportunity to develop alternative technologies and strengthen the evidence base before building a large-scale facility.
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