Mick throws caution to Severn Barrage scheme

Release/Rhyddhau: 06/06/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

A leading campaigner for green energy has warned that rushing headlong in to building a Severn Barrage would be "foolish".

Mick Bates, Welsh Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson has urged caution over the multi-million pound engineering project which is being proposed as a possible answer to the UK's growing demand for energy. 

During questions to the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan earlier today, Mick sighted thus far unaccounted costs to the taxpayer as one reason to carefully consider the proposal.

Commenting, Mick said:

"I welcome the fact that discussions on the Severn Barrage are back on the agenda.  With a tidal range of over 12 metres, the Severn Estuary is one of the best sites in the world for generating tidal power.  The ambition of harnessing that power is to be applauded.

"However, there are a large number of questions that need to be answered.  Firstly, how much will it cost the taxpayer?  Though it is a private sector proposal, there is no doubt that it will cost the government money.  Things like feasibility studies, impact assessments and legislation have to be paid for out of the public purse.  Also current estimations put the cost of electricity from the barrage at £60/MWh - three times the higher than the current market price.  Will the government be subsidising the cost of electricity produced?

"When I asked the First Minister about these costs he had no idea to what they would amount to.

"I'm not ruling out the possibility of the barrage full stop, but we do need answers to all the questions and consider all the options.  Rushing in to a scheme of this size would be nothing less than foolish."