A project that would be the largest
renewable energy generation facility in the UK would save as much carbon in its first six months as it would take to build it, according to a new report.
The Severn Barrage, which could generate five per cent of the UK's total electricity needs, would replace fossil fuel burning plants, which have carbon emissions.
Within half a year, the emissions made in the construction, transportation and installation of the equipment, would have been saved because less fossil fuels would have to be burned to meet demand, according to the Chartered Institution of Water Environmental Management (CIWEM).
Its report claims that the proposed ten mile project across the Severn Estuary would require 200 large water turbines and would be made mainly of reinforced concrete – a carbon intensive material.
The Severn Barrage, if constructed would take advantage of differences between high tide and low tide.
