Severn Tidal Energy The CardiffWeston Barrage Context and Implications Peter K Jones Environmental P

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Severn Tidal EnergyThe Cardiff/Weston Barrage
Context and ImplicationsPeter K Jones
Environmental Policy Officer
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INTRODUCTION

• Climate change the policy context global and
  UK
• Energy the policy context EU, UK and Wales
• Renewable energy options wind, solar, biomass,
  tidal
• Severn estuary habitats and wildlife
• Severn estuary tidal range
• Severn estuary energy project options
  barrages, lagoons, others
• Cardiff/Weston barrage
• SDC Report Turning the tide
• Frontier Economics Report Analysis of a Severn
  barrage
• UK Government Feasibility Study
• Conclusions

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CLIMATE CHANGE

• Consensual scientific conclusion (IPCC, 2007)
  that volume of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
  should not exceed 400ppm if dangerous, possibly
  runaway global warming is to be avoided.
• CO2 level already at 386ppm and rising by more
  than 2ppm each year likely to reach 400ppm by
  2015.
• Average global temperature rise could be 3 or 4 C
  by mid-century, possibly triggering massive
  methane release from tundra and ocean floors.
• Government committed to 60 CO2 emission
  reduction by 2050 likely soon to be increased
  to 80.

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ENERGY POLICY

• European Union (EU) has set target of 20 of
  energy from renewable sources by 2020.
• Energy electricity generation, heat and
  transport, principally from burning fossil fuels
  coal, gas and oil which are the main source
  of carbon emissions.
• UK has 2020 target of 15 energy from renewables
  40 electricity generation from renewables.
• Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) aims to generate
  all Welsh electricity from renewable sources by
  2025 with or without a Severn barrage

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

• Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and drive
  global warming and climate change, renewable
  energy sources will always be available and, in
  operation, are almost entirely carbon-free.
• Principal renewables are wind, both on- and
  off-shore solar, both for heating and to
  generate electricity biomass, both wood and
  crops and tidal, both range and stream.
• Currently, c4.5 of UK electricity and 1.5 of
  energy are from renewable sources (cf 40 and 15
  UK/EU targets) tenfold increase required by
  2020.
• UK tidal energy could contribute up to 10 of UK
  electricity.
• Severn Barrage could contribute 4.5 of
  electricity and 1 of energy.

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Home to 68,000 waders and wildfowl the Severn
estuary has one global and two European
conservation designations
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SEVERN ENVIRONMENT

• The Severn has a mean tidal range of 8.2m (26
  ft).
• Twice daily tidal movements
• Produces 23,000ha of intertidal mudflats and
  sandflats (including Bridgewater Bay) and
  extensive areas of saltmarsh.
• Five internationally important bird species
  Bewicks swan mute swan shelduck pintail
  dunlin.
• Special Protection Area Special Areas of
  Conservation Ramsar site various SSSIs.

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SEVERN ENERGY OPTIONS

• Ten energy projects have been proposed
• Five barrage lines, including Cardiff/Weston and
  the Shoots, just south of the second road bridge.
• Two lagoon projects.
• Tidal fence.
• Tidal reef.
• Severn lake.
• These are all tidal range options.
• Tidal stream technologies are not under
  consideration for the
• Severn.

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CARDIFF/WESTON BARRAGE

• Would be constructed between Lavernock Point in
  Penarth and Brean Down, near Weston-super-Mare.
• Approximately 16 km (10 miles) in length.
• Would generate 17 TWh of electricity pa (UK
  current annual consumption of 380/400 TWh)
  therefore around 4.5.
• Load efficiency of 22/23, cf offshore wind at
  30/35.
• Construction cost would be at least 15 billion
  and probably 20/25 billion.
• Cost comparable to constructing say 6 or 7 gas or
  nuclear stations, with total output of 40/45 TWh.
• Earliest availability 2022.

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SDC REPORT

• A tidal barrage would fundamentally change the
  nature of the Severn Estuary.
• Concluded that there is a strong case to be
  made for a sustainable barrage.
• No weakening of, or derogation from, the EU Birds
  and Habitats Directives.
• Barrage to be one part of much larger programme
  to cut UK carbon emissions by at least 60.
• Publicly financed public onwership.

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FRONTIER ECONOMICS REPORT

• Looked at
• The basis upon which the UK Government could
  justify supporting Severn tidal power, especially
  the proposed Cardiff/Weston barrage and the
  costs and benefits of a barrage in the Severn.
• Concluded that it would be difficult to justify
  Government support specifically for a barrage
  and that a large barrage on the Severn is
  expensive compared to alternative ways of
  generating renewable electricity.

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Comparison of alternative generation costs
(excluding solar and fuel cell technologies)
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Annual cost of generating output equivalent to a
large barrage (2010million)
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UK FEASIBILITY STUDY

• Aims to decide, after public consultation,
  whether or not a Severn tidal power scheme could
  be supported and on what terms.
• RSPB and other NGOs WWF, FoE involved.
• Initial report promised for December 2008 will
  recommend whether to continue or whether
  show-stoppers environmental impact or cost.
• If continues, final report likely in Spring 2010.
• If project proceeds planning/public inquiry to
  c2014.

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CONCLUDING COMMENTS

• Case against the Cardiff/Weston barrage
• Would significantly reduce over-wintering
  designated habitat for internationally and
  nationally important birds.
• Would not be justified in cost terms in
  comparison with cheaper alternative renewable
  energy options, principally wind power.
• However, if Government rules that there are no
  alternatives Imperative Reasons of Overriding
  Public Importance (IROPI Habitats Regulations)
  would need to provide compensatory habitat for
  displaced birds 14,500 inter-tidal ha likely to
  be lost cost c1 billion
• Will decision be evidence-based or political?

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DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS

• THANK YOU