HC Deb 13 January 2003 vol 397 c444W
Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consideration has been given to harnessing tidal power in the Severn Estuary; and if she will make a statement. [89484]

Mr. Wilson

The Department commissioned a study by the Severn Tidal Power Group which considered the merits of a reappraisal of a Severn Estuary tidal barrage project. This report of that study was recently published and is available on the DTI website at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/severn.shtml. The potential of renewable sources of energy, including tidal barrage schemes such as that proposed for the Severn Estuary, will be addressed in the Energy White Paper which will be published shortly.