"Tidal Reef brings new dynamic to mix of proposals for Severn Estuary" - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

"Tidal Reef brings new dynamic to mix of proposals for Severn Estuary" - Mick Bates AM

November 25, 2008 12:00 AM

Commenting on the launch of the Atkins report, commissioned by the RSPB, on the Evans Engineering Tidal Reef proposal for the Severn Estuary, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, said:

"Climate change poses a huge threat to our environment and we need nothing short of a revolution to increase our production of renewable energy. This revolution must involve harnessing the immense potential of the Severn Estuary, in a way that makes the most of this resource and is least damaging to our environment and I welcome the launch of this report, which brings a new dynamic to the mix of proposals for the Severn estuary.

"Getting the right decision on how to use the Severn Tidal range is crucial to the future of renewable energy generation in Wales. Tidal reef could potentially generate 20TWh/yr, which is 3TWh/yr more than the Cardiff-Weston barrage proposal and would cost £2bn less, whilst largely maintaining the significant habitats that exist within the estuary.

"The Liberal Democrats recognise that any development in the Severn Estuary will have serious consequences for the environment. But not harnessing the Severn's potential would mean using more polluting forms of energy generation which contribute to climate change, or using expensive nuclear power which generates toxic waste.

"I am pleased that our Liberal Democrat inquiry on Severn power will consider all options for harnessing the power of the Severn Estuary. If the UK is to have any hope of reducing emissions by 80% by 2050 then it must look seriously at proposals such as tidal reef alongside more traditional ideas such as the Severn Barrage and I hope that the tidal reef proposal will make the shortlist for further consideration as part of the Government's two year study on Sever Tidal Power."

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