Blog 5

Multiple businesses and environmental groups are expressing their objections to a barrage that is in talks of being built between the English coast and the Welsh coast.  This barrage from the Vale of Glamorgan to Somerset would be the full length of the Severn tidal estuary.  The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds with help form industries are searching for a sustainable energy alternative for the estuary that will allow them to harness tidal power.  The society has put together a conference to discuss the matter on April 18. 

Greg Barker, the energy minister, told Hafren Power that the government wont support their plan to build a barrage unless they are provided with more information.  While this was a disappointment to Barker and his committee they sill plan on proceeding with the project and working with the government to resolve any questions and concerns.  While there have been claims that a low will be passed to secure the creation of the barrage Tony Whitehead of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that now is the time to act on new ideas because the minister stated that the bill will not reach parliament this term.   Sue Turner of Bristol Port says that what they want is to “find the right technology to generate sustainable energy in the Severn”.

This article further suggests that countries in Europe are actively searching for ways to create sustainable energy in place of less environmentally friendly structures.  Tony Whitehead also stated that they want power from the Severn but “no-one’s going to consider proposals that haven’t thought through the environmental and economic impacts.”  This attention to finding and thinking through alternative energy options suggests a growing concern for creating an overall sustainable society. 

One thing I would have liked to get from this article was more about the ideas they have for creating power form the tides of the estuary.  It will be interesting to follow up on this story after the conference of the discussion of how they will harness the power to see if they will proceed with a sustainable route or resort to the barrage. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-21607243