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| Advisers approve tidal power plan | Advisers approve tidal power plan |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An influential government advisory body has endorsed proposals for a tidal barrage across the Severn estuary. | |
| The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) says the project should meet "tough" environmental conditions and remain in public ownership. | The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) says the project should meet "tough" environmental conditions and remain in public ownership. |
| Last week the government announced an inquiry into the Severn scheme, which is opposed by a number of green groups. | Last week the government announced an inquiry into the Severn scheme, which is opposed by a number of green groups. |
| The SDC, chaired by Jonathon Porritt, says the UK could get at least 10% of its electricity from tidal power. | The SDC, chaired by Jonathon Porritt, says the UK could get at least 10% of its electricity from tidal power. |
| Its report, Turning the Tide, was launched at parallel events in London and Cardiff. | Its report, Turning the Tide, was launched at parallel events in London and Cardiff. |
| Natural concerns | Natural concerns |
| The endorsement of the Severn project, expected to cost about £14bn and generate about 5% of Britain's electricity, follows on from business and industry secretary John Hutton's description of the concept last week as "truly visionary". | The endorsement of the Severn project, expected to cost about £14bn and generate about 5% of Britain's electricity, follows on from business and industry secretary John Hutton's description of the concept last week as "truly visionary". |
| HOW TIDAL POWER WORKS As tide comes in, sea water passes through barrage to landward sideAt high tide, sluice gates shut, trapping water in estuary or basinWhen tide recedes on sea-side of barrage, sluice gates openWater flows through barrage, driving turbines and generating powerPower can be generated in both directions, but this can affect efficiency and economics of project He signalled that a multi-million pound feasibility study would go ahead, citing climate concerns as the main driver. | HOW TIDAL POWER WORKS As tide comes in, sea water passes through barrage to landward sideAt high tide, sluice gates shut, trapping water in estuary or basinWhen tide recedes on sea-side of barrage, sluice gates openWater flows through barrage, driving turbines and generating powerPower can be generated in both directions, but this can affect efficiency and economics of project He signalled that a multi-million pound feasibility study would go ahead, citing climate concerns as the main driver. |
| But environmental groups such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Friends of the Earth (FoE) and WWF are not convinced. | But environmental groups such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Friends of the Earth (FoE) and WWF are not convinced. |
| FoE Cymru energy spokesman Neil Crumpton said: "The £14bn Severn barrage would be a hugely expensive, environmentally damaging and legally questionable mega-project." | FoE Cymru energy spokesman Neil Crumpton said: "The £14bn Severn barrage would be a hugely expensive, environmentally damaging and legally questionable mega-project." |
| These groups believe the scheme could devastate wildlife in the estuary, and suggest that tidal lagoons would be a more efficient and less damaging alternative. | These groups believe the scheme could devastate wildlife in the estuary, and suggest that tidal lagoons would be a more efficient and less damaging alternative. |
| Tidal lagoons are artificially created offshore pools. Water would flow through turbines in and out of the lagoons as the tide rose and fell. | Tidal lagoons are artificially created offshore pools. Water would flow through turbines in and out of the lagoons as the tide rose and fell. |
| The SDC has acknowledged the environmental concerns in its report. | The SDC has acknowledged the environmental concerns in its report. |
| The barrage, it says, should have to prove its green credentials by complying with legislation protecting the estuary. | The barrage, it says, should have to prove its green credentials by complying with legislation protecting the estuary. |