[3] The Government is carrying out the feasibility study to look at all the costs, benefits and impacts of a Severn tidal power scheme.
It looked at the scope of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the issues the feasibility study considered and the shortlisted schemes up for more detailed analysis in stage two.
Proposals for damming or barraging the Severn Estuary (and Bristol Channel) have existed since the 19th century for reasons such as transport links and flood protection.
In May 2006, with the growing evidence of climate change and rising fossil fuel prices, the Government called for a new in-depth study into the potential for tidal power from the Severn.
The first stage concluded with a 3-month public consultation launched on 26 January 2009 and focused on the high level issues, the scope of the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) and a proposed short-list of potential tidal power project options from the initial 10 schemes.
At the end of phase 2, a second and final public consultation will be launched and Government will make a decision on whether and how a tidal power project could be supported.
In doing so Government will consider the costs, benefits, impacts and risks of a Severn tidal power project and whether these are acceptable.
April to Autumn 2008 – Initial focus on the high level issues and potential tidal power options assessment.
Post 2010 – If the outcome of the feasibility study is a decision to proceed, extensive and further detailed work would be needed to plan and implement a tidal power project, and secure the regulatory consents that would be required.