SEVERN TIDAL POWER AND GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE SEVERN ESTUARY

That this House welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform of a feasibility study into the generation of electricity from the Severn Estuary that will critically evaluate all the major options; notes that the Severn Tidal Power project has the potential to provide five per cent. of total UK electricity demand from a renewable, reliable and British source; further notes that through harnessing the natural power of the tidal Severn Estuary, the Severn Tidal Power project would provide enough electricity to power three million homes; is concerned that each month of delay to completion of the project means an extra 0.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted; and calls on the Government to progress the study without delay, making use of the 20 years' experience and knowledge already available.