To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of tidal power generation in the Severn estuary; and if he will make a statement. (150217)

Between 1978 and 1994 the Government supported a comprehensive programme of research and development on tidal energy. These studies considered tidal energy schemes at a number of potential sites, including within the Severn estuary. The results of the Severn studies were reported in Energy Paper 57 (ISBN 0 11 412952 5) and an overall assessment of the tidal programme was published in 1994 (ETSU R-82).

A study is currently under way that is looking in some detail at the issues arising on tidal power. The study is being led by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) working together with my Department, Welsh Assembly Government, the devolved administrations and the South West Regional Development Agency. The study will provide a strategic, independent and evidence-based consideration of all the environmental, social and economic aspects of options for tidal power in the Severn estuary from a sustainable development perspective.

The final report is expected to be published in September. Further details of the study can be seen at:

www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/tidal.html.