WWT to tell minister of concerns about Severn Estuary study
In a meeting today at Newport Wetlands in Gwent, WWT and other environmental charities will present a joint statement to climate change minister Mike O'Brien. The statement outlines fears that less environmentally damaging options for harnessing the power of the Severn Estuary will be dropped.
The government is currently reviewing ten options for generating renewable energy in the Severn Estuary. This month they are due to choose a shortlist to review in more detail. WWT is concerned that options based on newer technology will be discarded at this stage because they are less developed than older schemes such as the Cardiff-Weston barrage. However, some newer proposals have taken environmental concerns into account from the outset and it is hoped that they can create clean energy with much less damage to the estuary.
Dr Debbie Pain, WWT's director of conservation, says: "The government has set admirable targets to increase renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. We just need to make sure that we achieve these with minimal environmental damage. It is acknowledged that the Cardiff-Weston barrage would fundamentally alter the nature of the Severn Estuary. Surely now is not the time to rule out other schemes which could be much less damaging."
The Severn Power Feasibility Study was set up in January this year. Initially the study was hosted by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The study was moved to the newly created Department for Energy and Climate Change under Ed Milliband. Minister Mike O'Brien has responsibility for Severn tidal power. He is today visiting Newport Wetlands on the Welsh side of the estuary to see the wildlife of the estuary for himself.
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