Greens favour tidal lagoons over a Severn barrage
23 March 2007
The Green Party Spring conference convened an expert panel session on tidal power in Swansea this week. The session was chaired by Rhodri Griffiths, the Green Party first list candidate for the South Wales West Region. Invited speakers were Peter Ullman from Tidal Electric (Tidal Lagoons), John Redman from Balfour Beatty (Severn Barrage), Peter Jones from the RSPB, and Mark Phillips from Swansea Institute of Higher Education.
Presentations to conference, and subsequent debate, led to a series of votes on the most appropriate use of technology to harness the world class tidal power of the Severn. Conference voted in opposition to a barrage across the Severn and passed a unanimous vote in support of both tidal lagoons and tidal stream turbines.
Rhodri Griffiths, Green Party first list candidate for the South West Wales Region said:
"I'm delighted with the outcome with the way the motion went. I'm very pleased we have clarity on this issue and that the Green Party have come out strongly in favour of tidal lagoons and tidal stream turbines as opposed to a Severn barrage.
"Wales Green Party is very keen to see the Swansea Bay Lagoon up and running as the first of its type in the world. We would be proud of the fact that Wales will be leading the way in implementing this low impact clean technology.
For further information on tidal lagoons see:
