Work to determine the potential feasibility of a tidal energy scheme in the Severn Estuary is continuing with the appointment of the DTZ consortium to lead a study to identify the regional economic impacts of a Severn tidal scheme.

The study - which will look at potential significant impacts on the regional economies of Wales and the South West of England at both construction and operational phases - forms a major part of the ongoing work on the Government Severn tidal power feasibility study.

This research will form a key part of the findings of the feasibility study, helping to determine the regional economic impacts of possible schemes - which include a number of barrage options, a tidal fence, a tidal reef and tidal lagoons.


The appointment of DTZ, followed a comprehensive procurement process which culminated in the interviewing of several short listed candidates. The DTZ consortium will start work on this contract immediately and are scheduled to deliver a final report in early 2009.

The Severn Estuary, with the second highest tidal range in the world at approximately 50 feet (15.4m), has the potential to provide five per cent of the UK's electricity needs.

UK Secretary of State for Energy John Hutton said: "A Severn tidal power scheme could be larger in size, output and cost than any other energy project in this country.

"It could play an important role in our ambition to dramatically increase the amount of energy from renewable sources. The tidal range on the Severn is the second largest in the world and has the potential to provide around 5% of the UK's current electricity demand. It's therefore vitally important we undertake the most thorough and exhaustive study and contract the right companies to take this work forward."

(CD/NS)