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| Severn reef plan is 'more green' | Severn reef plan is 'more green' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Conservationists claim building a reef across the Severn Estuary would be cheaper, less damaging and generate more power than a proposed barrage. | Conservationists claim building a reef across the Severn Estuary would be cheaper, less damaging and generate more power than a proposed barrage. |
| A study for the RSPB found a reef would hold back about 2m (6ft 6in) of water and not alter tidal patterns as much. | |
| A feasibility study for the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK government on harnessing the estuary's tidal power started in January. | |
| A consultation on which projects to shortlist is expected to begin in 2009. | |
| Supporters of a proposal for a 10 mile (16km) barrage between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare argue it could generate some 17,000GW of clean energy each year, the equivalent of almost 5% of the UK's electricity needs. | |
| The RSPB asked engineers Atkins to examine the feasibility of a "greener" alternative to a barrage. | |
| The research concluded a 12 mile (19 km) reef would cost about £2bn less and produce 20,000GW. | |
| This proposal would see a reef built across the Severn between Aberthaw in the Vale of Glamorgan and Minehead in Somerset, making it the most westerly option. | This proposal would see a reef built across the Severn between Aberthaw in the Vale of Glamorgan and Minehead in Somerset, making it the most westerly option. |
| Like the Cardiff-Western barrage, it would generate electricity as water flowed through turbines but it would not back the full height of the tide. | Like the Cardiff-Western barrage, it would generate electricity as water flowed through turbines but it would not back the full height of the tide. |
| The study found a reef could generate electricity for longer periods than the barrage, and therefore be more be able to meet power needs at peak demand times. | The study found a reef could generate electricity for longer periods than the barrage, and therefore be more be able to meet power needs at peak demand times. |
| The bird charity said it preferred the plan because a reef would keep intact most of the estuary's bird feeding ground and a reef's slower-moving turbines would reduce danger to migrating salmon and eels. | The bird charity said it preferred the plan because a reef would keep intact most of the estuary's bird feeding ground and a reef's slower-moving turbines would reduce danger to migrating salmon and eels. |
| RSPB director of conservation Mark Avery, said: "The government must crack the problem of how to use the Severn's tidal power without harming its wildlife. | |
| "We already know a Cardiff-Weston barrage would cost far more than almost any other form of green energy and seriously damage sites protected by law. | "We already know a Cardiff-Weston barrage would cost far more than almost any other form of green energy and seriously damage sites protected by law. |
| "A tidal reef could reign in that damage, cost the taxpayer much less and be built more quickly," he said. | "A tidal reef could reign in that damage, cost the taxpayer much less and be built more quickly," he said. |
| Report author Professor Rod Rainey said: "We believe this scheme could be more powerful but less costly than other plans being put forward, particularly the Cardiff to Weston barrage." THE OPTIONS A conventional barrageA tidal fenceTidal lagoonsThe tidal reef | |
| The reef was designed and proposed by Evans Engineering, a small family company based in Cornwall. | The reef was designed and proposed by Evans Engineering, a small family company based in Cornwall. |
| Proprietor Rupert Evans said: "It's much more in tune to the way the estuary works." | Proprietor Rupert Evans said: "It's much more in tune to the way the estuary works." |
| "Its construction would mean far less road traffic because of rail connections, and would require less material and cost significantly less than other tidal options or nuclear power." | "Its construction would mean far less road traffic because of rail connections, and would require less material and cost significantly less than other tidal options or nuclear power." |
| "It's a compromise which works, it's considerably more efficient than tidal stream turbines but doesn't have the environmental impact that great monolithic barrages have." | "It's a compromise which works, it's considerably more efficient than tidal stream turbines but doesn't have the environmental impact that great monolithic barrages have." |
| In June, a report commissioned by 10 environmental groups who oppose a barrage said renewable energy could be generated more cheaply using other technology. | In June, a report commissioned by 10 environmental groups who oppose a barrage said renewable energy could be generated more cheaply using other technology. |
| A spokeswoman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: "We are still looking at all ten options on our list of potential Severn tidal power schemes. | A spokeswoman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: "We are still looking at all ten options on our list of potential Severn tidal power schemes. |
| "As part of this work we have been doing our own study in to the tidal reef proposal, but we will also consider this report by the RSPB." | "As part of this work we have been doing our own study in to the tidal reef proposal, but we will also consider this report by the RSPB." |