1 week Ago
Industry representatives and the Crown Estate have shown support for the Severn Estuary Commission's recommendations for a tidal lagoon. The recommendations were launched in London in March, with the commission presenting their findings to both UK and Welsh politicians. The public launch, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers headquarters, was attended by more than 100 representatives from various sectors.
The Crown Estate, which manages much of the seabed around the British Isles, was involved in the public launch and has supported the commission's work. Mike Dobson, new energies portfolio manager at the Crown Estate, said: "We welcome the commission’s report to the Western Gateway on the potential for tidal range in the Severn Estuary and their conclusion that it is feasible. "We look forward to playing our part in any further work to investigate the potential of tidal range in the Severn Estuary.
" The launch event was sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers. Professor Jim Hall, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and member of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: "The Severn Estuary Commission’s recommendations provide a clear, evidence-based, well-reasoned policy direction to make the best possible use of the UK’s greatest tidal energy resource—the Severn Estuary." Following the launch, it was confirmed that the Western Gateway, the cross-border partnership that initiated the commission, would no longer receive core funding from the UK Government.
However, local authorities have been meeting to discuss how the area can continue to collaborate to harness this opportunity. Sarah Williams-Gardener, chair of the Western Gateway, said: "The message from our commission and industry is clear – we need to act now to harness this unique power for the UK. "Despite the news about UK Government funding for Western Gateway, we are confident that this will continue with support from both sides of the Severn.
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