|
Published:
April 25, 2006
New
group comes forward with £15bn proposal for Brean Down barrage
The
race is on to build a barrage across the Bristol Channel - from
Brean Down, near Burnham, to Wales - after a new group came forward
this week with a second proposal for the ambitious project.
The
Severn Tidal Power Group (STPG), a joint venture between six power
engineering and construction firms, has put forward a plan that
is different from one put to councillors on 1st March by Neath
businessman Gareth Woodham (pictured below).
The
STPG says the Severn's tidal range, which approaches 14m, can
be harnessed to generate up to six per cent of the electricity
for England and Wales.
 The
consortium behind the proposal says its 10-mile project would
bring as much energy as three nuclear power stations.
But
environmental groups fear a barrage over the estuary would destroy
a unique and world-famous eco-system.
However,
senior politicians in Wales and Westminster say the £15bn
plan to build a barrage across the Severn Estuary could help solve
the growing energy crisis.
Roger
Hull, of the Severn Tidal Power Group, said the barrage would
take six years to build and could be generating power as early
as 2017.
He
said: "It's a proven technology. This is a big application
because, of course, if you want to generate a lot of electricity,
you need a big project to do so.
"It's
definitely a good way of producing this predictable, renewable
power that does not produce any carbon dioxide at all. So it's
very climate friendly."
RELATED
LINK:
Green Party has 'deep
misgivings' about barrage plans
Huge
£650million Severn Barrage plan referred to DTI
Huge
£650million Severn Barrage plan unveiled
|
