Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is to make an announcement on energy policy on Monday Plans for a controversial £30bn Severn barrage tidal energy project stretching from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset to Cardiff are expected to be scrapped.
Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne is expected to make the announcement in Parliament on Monday.
Reports suggest the scheme is to be axed as it is not “financially viable” and that instead he will give the go-ahead to new nuclear power stations.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change could not confirm or deny it.
“The barrage has been killed off for the moment by environmental fundamentalism ”
Dr Rob Kirby Oceanographer
Supporters of the tidal project, which would link Lavernock Point near Cardiff, to Brean Down near Weston-Super-Mare, claimed it could generate 5% of Britain’s electricity.
Dr Rob Kirby, an oceanographer and independent consultant, said: “The government’s view is that it’s too big a project to approach in financial terms.
“Raising the money in this financial climate would be too much of a challenge.
“The barrage has been killed off for the moment by environmental fundamentalism because environmentalists have always objected to the Severn barrage.
“It’s quite unambiguous – the Cardiff to Weston (barrage) can only benefit the environment and those who say otherwise are not telling the truth.”
Chris Witts, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Gloucester City Council and a River Severn historian, said: “I’m delighted if the barrage is to be scrapped.
“We’re messing with nature in too big a way. I hear stories from around the world that barrages have created problems and I wouldn’t want to see problems created on the Severn.
“I’m not against getting energy from the Severn but not with a barrage on this scale.”
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