§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of energy used for all domestic and industrial purposes is currently derived from tidal sources; what steps are being taken to increase such energy utilisation; what is the percentage that is envisaged as being operative in 10 years' time; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EadieThere is no commercial exploitation of tidal power in the United Kingdom at present and I do not expect this situation to change within the next 10 years, as the planning and construction of a major tidal power scheme could not be completed within that time. Recent studies—pages 8–19, Part IV of Appendices to the Evidence given to the Energy Resource Sub-Committee of the Select Committee on Science and Technology—have indicated that tidal power would not be economically competitive with nuclear power, but nevertheless my Department has initiated studies to throw light on two of the major areas of uncertainty associated with a possible tidal power scheme in the Severn Estuary.