§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list the long-term studies being undertaken by, or on behalf of, his Department into tidal power;
(2) if, in the light of the recommendations of the Severn barrage committee in 1982 that designs and economic studies into a Severn barrage should proceed in parallel with the investigation of environmental issues, he will ask the Severn Tidal Power Group to produce such studies; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what steps will be taken to ensure that the Severn Estuary studies in relation to the proposed tidal barrage adequately cover the complete winter season of wading birds; if, in the light of the fact that work on the studies has not yet begun, he still expects them to be completed within two years from July 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Secretary of State announced in July a £5.5 million extension to the investigation into the United Kingdom's tidal resources. This work includes advanced investigations into a Severn barrage on a line near to Cardiff and Weston; a contribution towards studies into a Mersey barrage; and generic studies including construction techniques, environmental impact, and the potential of smaller sites around the United Kingdom.
The report on the Severn barrage by the Severn Tidal Power Group published in July discussed environmental issues and recommended that further study was necessary. The work programme for the Severn Estuary studies and other related work of a generic nature not necessarily restricted to the time scale of the study carried out by the Severn Tidal Power Group will include an examination of the impact of a tidal barrage on wildlife. Details of the Severn work programme, related studies, and procedure for consultation are still being discussed by the Central Electricity Generating Board, the Severn Tidal Power Group, and my Department. It is intended that full details 618W of the studies and consultation procedures will be widely circulated for comment initially and that there should be an ongoing consultation process with all interested parties.
§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the country's present energy needs would be provided by the proposed Severn barrage; and what is the expected annual increase in energy demand over the period of construction of the barrage.
§ Mr. David HuntIf a Severn tidal barrage were to be built near to Cardiff and Weston, it would provide about 5 per cent. of Britain's current electricity demand, about 2 per cent. of the current simultaneous maximum electricity load at the time of winter peak, or about 1 per cent. of current United Kingdom final energy demand. The sales forecast adopted by the Electricity Council, October 1986, implies an annual increase of 1.6 per cent. per annum to the middle of the next decade.