The tone of the debate at today's conference on the future of the Severn Estuary (which I profiled in this morning's blog) was, as expected, very different to when I was previously involved in discussions about Severn tidal power. While many of the faces in the room were similar, there was genuine mutual respect and understanding of the need to harness the tidal power of the estuary in harmony with nature.
There was some scratching of heads over why the region had failed to deliver a major renewable energy infrastructure project and a little jealousy about what was happening in the east of the country. Yet, the one case study from a developer was impressive and promised a different future.
The Swansea Tidal Lagoon (the first of four proposed in the Estuary) is very, very close to getting the green light provided it can get the necessary financial support from government and secure necessary private investors. I was genuinely impressed by the attention that the team were giving to understanding the environmental impacts and their ambition was to deliver a net postive project. While we would welcome greater scrutiny of these plans, we are keen to help and offer our experience. It is a great opportunity to learn about the impacts of tidal power technology on the environment while contributing (c320 MW) to our renewable energy needs.
But this is just one project serving one objective. Rising to the ambition of protecting and enhancing the wildlife of the Severn, securing all the free services that a well functioning estuary offers, respecting the economic needs of the region whilst also harnessing the tidal power requires some fresh thinking on...
...leadership and governance: while central governments can offer strategic direction over low carbon future and desire to restore nature in a generation, the region itself needs to come together to offer a compelling vision for the future. This is complicated given the number of adminstrative regions that the estuary covers. But I sensed an appetite from all sides to deepen collaboration and come up with a new model for joint working.
...spatial mapping and strategic planning: there are a plethora of plans and strategies designed to get the best from the estuary but these somehow need to come together to provide a coherent approach. This would require both Westminster and Welsh governments to accept a fresh approach to dealing with trans-national challenges.
And, of course, we'll need continued respect for the existing regulatory framework including the EU Nature Directives. How wonderful it was, therefore, to hear another energy developer, in this case, Tidal Lagoon Power, say that the Directives are fit for purpose and they will respect the mitigation hierarchy. This, the day after the Dutch Government formerly declared its hand by stating that it does not want to meddle with the Directives (see translated text below). Wouldn't it be great if the UK followed suit and issued a similar public statement before Christmas?
While I may continue to dip in and out of the tidal power debate, rest assured that the RSPB will do all it can to support the key players in the region turn their laudable ambition into reality.
-------------
Statement agreed by the Dutch Paliament on the EU Nature Directives
“The House of Representatives, having heard the debate, noting that the Birds and Habitats Directive is seen in society as a good Directive to achieve European nature conservation; noting that the European Commission within the framework of the program "Better Regulation" is conducting an evaluation of the Birds and Habitats Directive; noting that ministers of nine EU member states in a letter to Commissioner Vella, have asked to leave the Birds and Habitats Directive unchanged and to make improvements in the implementation of the Directive; noting that seven of the nine groups in the European Parliament have already made a similar request to the Eurocommissioners Timmermans and Vella; believes that also the Netherlands want to retain the Birds and Habitats Directive in its current form and want improvements in their implementation; calls on the government, to convey this message in writing to the European Commissioners Timmermans and Vella, and proceeds to the order of the day.”