Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, visited the Severn Estuary in Bristol yesterday to review a potential site for a tidal energy project.
Miliband was invited on board research vessel Guiding Light to view a proposed site for the Severn Barrage. The barrage is one of five renewable energy projects suggested by the Government, and if completed would be the world's largest renewable energy producer.
The 10-mile long dam would be the UK’s largest engineering project since the Channel Tunnel.
On board with the Secretary of State were a number of university academics who are experts in a variety of sustainability issues. Dr Chris Wooldridge, a lecturer and researcher in marine geography, who also skippered the boat, explained the tidal flows in the area to Mr Miliband.
Professor Terry Rees, Cardiff University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, said: “The Secretary of State was able to hear from some of our international experts in engineering, biodiversity and marine science, giving him a wide range of insights into the latest thinking in sustainability research. We were also, through our unique learning and research vessel, Guiding Light, able to show the Secretary of State the marine and ecological background to the Government’s eventual decision on a Severn tidal scheme.”
The scheme has come under criticism from environmental groups who object to the flooding of land that is home to more than 68,000 birds in winter.
Rupert Armstrong Evans, Cornwall around 1 year ago