"Government lacking vision over Severn Energy shortlist" - Mick Bates AM

12.00.00am GMT Mon 26th Jan 2009

Shadow Minister for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, has today expressed his disappointment that more innovative and visionary proposals have been dropped from the Government's shortlist for the next stage of the Severn Tidal Feasibility study.

Commenting, Mick stated:

"I am disappointed by the final shortlist, which starkly highlights the Government's lack of vision and open mindedness, as more innovative proposals that could offer a more cost effective and environmentally friendly option for the Severn Estuary have been ruled out.

"Harnessing the power of the Severn is a huge decision and one which cannot be taken lightly. Any development in the Estuary is still far on the horizon, which gives ample time for research and development into less destructive options. The Government should follow the Scottish example and encourage more innovation for blue sky technologies to come forward that will be the next generation in renewable energy.

"Not only has the Government excluded more novel concepts from the shortlist, but by allocating only £0.5million of investment into all alternative proposals such as tidal reef and fence, a small amount compared to the estimated £15billion construction cost of a barrage, this will knock all alternative concepts out of the water.

"The driving force must be the abatement of carbon emissions now, rather than decades down the line, when they anticipate the Barrage would be completed. While pursuing more innovative and less destructive options for the Severn Estuary, the Government must invest much more in energy efficiency measures and the development of decentralised energy generation.

"During this economic recession we need cost effective solutions with immediate impacts for the economy and for the environment. Reducing energy use and developing known technologies such as wind, biomass, water and solar, as well as investment in better buildings, engine efficiency, lighting and fuel substitutes are what is needed in the short term, to create more green jobs and help revive our ailing economy.

"Meanwhile support for innovative British engineering solutions for harnessing the power of the Severn, in whatever form this eventually takes, will not only provide a greener mix to UK energy generation, but boost UK job opportunities and at the same time make the UK a world leader in tidal energy technology."

End/Diwedd