Government in talks on Severn tidal schemes

Energy minister Charles Hendry has revealed that the government is in talks with companies about tidal power schemes in the Severn Estuary. Just over a week ago the government pulled […]

Energy minister Charles Hendry has revealed that the government is in talks with companies about tidal power schemes in the Severn Estuary.

Just over a week ago the government pulled the plug on a plan for a £30m Severn Barrage which supporters said could have provided enough power for 5% of the UK’s homes.

But a feasibility study carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change found that the project was impractical.

However, Mr Hendry this week revealed that “the outcome of the feasibility study does not preclude a privately financed scheme coming forward”. He added that “my officials are talking to private sector consortia about their ideas”.

Mr Hendry was responding in Parliament to a question from Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies on future energy plans for the Bristol Channel.

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