Commission recommends UK Government act now to harness tidal energy  

An independent commission of experts have recommended that the government “act now” to harness the UK’s huge potential for tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary. 

The Severn Estuary Commission comprises of nationally and internationally recognised engineers, financiers, scientists and other experts.  Together, they have spent the last year engaging with more than 500 individuals and over 200 local and national organisations to explore if it is now possible to harness the power of the UK’s largest tidal range following decades of proposals.   

The commission has concluded that tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary is “feasible” and could deliver predictable, renewable electricity that will work independent of weather conditions. With UK electricity demand set to more than double by 2050, they have called for urgent investment to make sure this kind of energy can play a part in the future energy system in a way which is sustainable. 

The UK’s National Energy System Operator already predicts that tidal energy will need to play a part in any future energy system.  The Severn Estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world and could provide the vast majority of the UK’s total tidal energy. However, it also remains of international environmental importance.  

To harness this energy without damaging natural habitats, the commission have recommended: 

• The UK Government takes steps to ensure that tidal range energy is recognised in national policy to allow progress on the many schemes proposed across the country. 

• Both the UK and Welsh Government back the development of a new tidal lagoon in the Severn Estuary as part of a “Commercial Demonstration Project”. As well as generating a large amount of low-carbon electricity, this project would drive investment, generate critical environmental data and, if successful, pave the way for further projects securing economic growth and long-term energy resilience for the UK and make the UK a global hub for tidal range energy. 

• Improved cross-border working and planning is needed to ensure any new development can be strategically delivered to ensure best outcomes for the area. 

The Severn Estuary Commission has been chaired by Dr Andrew Garrad CBE and was launched by the Western Gateway last year, a partnership of the 28 local authorities across South Wales and Western England.   Dr Garrad recently received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in recognition of his role in pioneering development the modern wind energy industry. 

He said: “This last year has been an eye-opening experience for all of us on the commission, understanding the huge potential of this source of renewable energy and also the international environmental importance of the estuary.  Indeed, what sets this Commission aside from previous studies is the emphasis that it has placed on the environment. 

“Electricity demand will increase with the widespread uptake of electric vehicles, electrification of heating, industry and proliferation of data centres. We urgently need to get serious about how we can make use of our natural resources to meet this demand whilst also tackling our carbon emissions.   

“Given the likely timelines for developing a project of this scale, we need to act now to ensure we can deliver the energy when it is needed and at the same time safeguard the environment.” 

Already the recommendations have been welcomed by the Welsh Government. 

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, at the Welsh Government, Rebecca Evans MS said: “We want to make Wales a world centre for emerging tidal technologies, and the Severn Estuary is a source of immense potential energy as one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. I welcome the work of the Severn Estuary Commission and I look forward to working with the UK Government and the Western Gateway to make sure that we can harness its potential whilst also protecting this unique asset.” 

The work of the Commission has been supported in part by The Crown Estate which manages the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.   

Mike Dobson, New Energies Portfolio Manager at The Crown Estate, said: “We welcome the Commission’s report to the Western Gateway on the potential for tidal range in the Severn Estuary and their conclusion that it is feasible. To deliver clean, secure and reliable energy to communities across the country, we must explore the range of technologies that may form part of the future energy mix.  

“We note the future role for the sector is dependent upon NESO’s determination on the benefits from tidal range in the energy system, as well as the support of local and devolved governments, and UK Government policy. We look forward to playing our part in any further work to investigate the potential of tidal range in the Severn Estuary.” 

The commission are due to publish their final recommendations on the 19th March 2025 at an event in London in partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers. 

Professor Jim Hall, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), said: “The Severn Estuary Commission’s recommendations provide a clear, evidence-based, well-reasoned policy direction to make the best possible use of the UK’s greatest tidal energy resource—the Severn Estuary. 

“These recommendations chime with the ICE’s State of the Nation 2025 report which focused strongly on the transformative potential of tidal power. 

“By calling for collaborative co-design between engineers and environmentalists, they pave the way for better outcomes—not only for people, but for our planet. 

“However, progress will only happen if the UK and Welsh governments put the right policy and investment frameworks in place to turn the commission’s vision into a low-cost, low-carbon energy revolution.” 

Now that the commission have finished their recommendations, it will be down to the local authorities who make up the Western Gateway partnership to work with UK and Welsh Government alongside industry to see how they can be put into action. 

Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway, said: “After many years of debate, we now know that the huge potential of tidal energy in the Severn can and should play a key part in our energy supply. 

“We need urgent action to make the most of this opportunity. A lagoon project would not only deliver predictable renewable energy, it could also add up to £12 billion GVA to the UK economy and 220,000 job years in the construction phase. 

“I am very grateful to the work of this commission to explore this huge opportunity for the UK. On behalf of our board of local authorities, I look forward to working with both UK and Welsh Government to make this a reality.” 

The full recommendations can be read on the Severn Estuary Commission website, alongside the independent reports from WSP, APEM, Hardisty Jones Associates, Oxford Economics, Arcadis, Arup, Agilia Infrastructure Partners, and others. These reports include detailed findings on the environmental, financial, socio-economic and engineering aspects of tidal range energy in the Severn Estuary which have informed the final recommendations.