Severn Tidal Power

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Severn Tidal Power
Sustainable Development and Severn Tidal
Power 7 March 2009 Peter Kydd Director of
Strategic Consulting Parsons Brinckerhoff
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Severn Tidal Power Context

• Why is Severn Tidal Power being studied?
• Security of Supply
• tidal power is predictable
• 15 EU target for renewable energy by 2020
• Severn tidal power costs are less than those
  required to achieve the corresponding electricity
  target of 32
• 80 reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050
• requires all electricity to be carbon free by 2030

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Sustainable Development Definition
1987"development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. Our
Common Future 1994 "Sustainable development is
about ensuring a better quality of life for
everyone, now and for generations to come." UK
government
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Triple Bottom Line

• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

THE OBJECTIVE To achieve the best balance
between economic, environmental and social
benefits and impacts
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT
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Key points in a sustainable context

• Economics
• Higher Energy Costs than current electricity but
  predictable and renewable, lasts for 120 years
• How much energy to extract? The greater the
  energy extraction, the greater the impacts.
• How much to invest in one project? 30bn, 20bn,
  5bn, 2bn
• Contributes to UK Government 80 reduction of
  carbon emissions by 2050.
• More Employment but also some losses also if
  ports are adversely affected

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Key points in a sustainable context

• Environment
• Potential for large scale low carbon generation
  in one location
• Displaces carbon emissions from other power
  stations
• Night time energy could be used for electric
  cars?
• Major impact on natural environment potential
  loss of habitats / species, requiring significant
  mitigation / compensation
• Reduced tidal range, water quality changes

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Key points in a sustainable context

• Social
• Flood Defence barrages offer protection from
  surges and sea level rise but existing land
  drainage would require modification
• Impact of large transient construction labour
  force?
• Impact on Ports and associated local employment?
• Potential benefits leisure, tourism, transport
  links?

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Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study
All Engineering and SEA Reports are available
on the public consultation web-site.
http//severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk