Stephanie Hilborne

News

Less harmful Severn proposal needed

A letter concerning the proposal to harness tidal power from the Severn, signed by Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, appeared in The Times before Christmas. It read

Sir, Today government ministers will decide a shortlist of renewable energy projects in the Severn estuary that they will consider supporting.

The challenge is great, but is one that we support. The recommended projects need to help to tackle climate change and be at an acceptable cost to the taxpayer. We argue that they should also minimise harm to the internationally important wildlife, the special landscape and the heritage of the Severn.

There is an easy option: the ministers could shortlist the projects that have received most attention, such as the proposed Cardiff-Weston barrage. The trouble is, this is the most environmentally destructive proposal up for consideration.

There is a better approach: ministers could continue to explore the less environmentally destructive proposals, even if their designs need more time to be fully developed. These may prove to be cheaper and deliver more energy in the long run.

This would be a brave choice, and a visionary one. But it would also be the right choice, given the crucial significance of the Severn estuary for people, birds, fish and other wildlife.

Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has confirmed that energy from the Severn is not essential to meet our 2020 renewables targets. This gives us the time to conceive, test and develop less environmentally damaging options. And that is why, today, we are calling on ministers to keep their options open.