Oral - The Welsh Assembly Government's Response to the Sustainability Development Commission's Report on the Proposed Severn Barrage

Against the background of our significant 'One Wales’ climate change and low carbon energy commitments, I thank the Sustainable Development Commission for undertaking the study of tidal power in the UK and, specifically, the assessment of options in the Severn estuary from a sustainable development perspective. The commission has efficiently used the financial support from the Welsh Assembly Government and other devolved administrations, from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the South West of England Regional Development Agency, to produce a comprehensive study of potential tidal power around the UK. I also thank the SDC for paying particular attention to public engagement on these issues and I endorse its conclusions that, as we explore tidal power opportunities further, this engagement must be a key part of the exercise.

The SDC work has highlighted the potential of tidal-stream power to provide up to 5 per cent of the UK’s electricity from tidal stream turbines. Much of this energy is located off the Scottish coasts but substantial resources are off our coasts, in the outer Bristol channel and off Anglesey. Using Objective 1 funds, we are already supporting Marine Current Turbines Ltd to undertake a feasibility study in respect of exploiting our tidal resource at the Skerries, off Anglesey, and Swanturbines, based at Swansea University, to expand its research and development activities. We have contracted RPS to collect the key data on Welsh waters, which will underpin the production of an enabling strategic environment assessment. The climate change energy framework for the new convergence programme will make further tidal-stream projects and initiatives eligible for support.

The work has also highlighted the potential for tidal-range projects to provide a further 5 per cent of the UK’s electricity from tidal lagoons and barrages, with the vast majority of this potential in the Severn estuary, with tidal-stream and tidal-range projects being mutually compatible in most instances.

I note with interest the recommendation that the Government hold a competition for a concept-proving demonstration tidal lagoon. This is an interesting proposition, which I will pursue further with the UK Government. If such a competition comes to pass, I would hope that strong bids would be forthcoming from Wales, especially bids with a significant community participation element.

We note that the SDC’s positive conclusion regarding a Severn barrage is one of support only if the important issue of compensation, for the potential adverse impacts on the distinctive habitats in the estuary, can be addressed. As Minister with responsibility for the environment as well as energy, I endorse that position.

A barrage in the Severn could make a significant contribution to our efforts on addressing climate change, and could truly be a world-class, flagship project on climate change, but we have to proceed with great care. I fully agree with the SDC that any focus on the potential of a Severn barrage must not be to the detriment of other efforts in pursuit of energy conservation, and investment in other renewables projects, whether large or small scale. I make no apologies here for repeating my belief in the importance of ensuring that Wales maximises the production of its energy from microgeneration and other decentralised, low-carbon sources.

The SDC has indicated that its support for a sustainable Severn barrage is predicated on  meeting the full requirements of the habitats directive. Sustainable development means giving full weight to environmental, as well as social and economic, considerations. We note the main Sustainable Development Commission conclusions: first, on the possibility that any compensatory measures might present opportunities to deal with the looming adaptation issues, which must be dealt with as climate change begins to bite, with rising sea levels and so on, and, secondly, if the barrage is to be built, it would be more appropriate as a public-sector-led rather than a private-sector-led project.

These are interesting recommendations, but they require a great deal more in-depth consideration by Government. I therefore support the proposal by John Hutton, that his Department will lead a comprehensive feasibility study, with strong Welsh Assembly Government participation, into the opportunities that a Severn barrage might present, while addressing environmental concerns.

In conclusion, I would emphasise that Wales is blessed with a variety of natural resources,  which could be exploited to make Wales self-sufficient in low-carbon electricity within the next 20 years or so - perhaps less. Tidal power is important in this context, along with other low-carbon opportunities such as wind, biomass, hydro, energy from waste, and microgeneration. There are new and exciting opportunities ahead that must be explored, and I hope to be consulting further on Wales’s renewable energy opportunities before the end of the year.