The Severn estuary tidal barrage is back on the agenda - the Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England, has confirmed an independent commission is being set up to explore the environmental, economic and technical aspects of the project.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, described the launch of an independent commission on tidal energy for the Severn as "very welcome news”, saying:
“Russia’s invasion has served to heighten concerns about energy security and costs. Sustainable forms of energy cannot come soon enough."
The Western Gateway has identified the natural asset resulting around the Severn Estuary and marine renewables as a particular strength in the region's green energy generation capabilities.
The Bristol channel has the second highest tidal range in the world - the estuary has huge potential as a source of green energy which could provide 7% of the UK’s total energy needs.
The Western Gateway said that whilst the technology is not yet commercially competitive, the potential to harness the energy resulting from the second largest tidal range in the world presents a unique opportunity to the WG with estimated power generation from identified projects capable of providing 7% of the UK’s energy needs.
According to an Independent Economic Review II (IER2) by Deloittes commissioned by Bath and North East Somerset Council to provide the Western Gateway Partnership (WGP) and stakeholders with an independent view of the strengths, opportunities, and options for intervention, the wider South West of England has been identified as “the only region in the UK with all marine renewable resources accessible from ports and infrastructure.”
Renewables from tidal and marine energy were among the items on the agenda at the Western Gateway’s powerhouse partnership’s first conference which took place on 20th January 2022 at the ICC in Newport.
Construction of the early stage tidal project, which would be bigger than previous proposed schemes, could cost between £20 billion to £30 billion.
In October last year a £1.7 billion project which will include a tidal lagoon, create thousands of well-paid jobs and place Wales at the forefront of renewable energy innovation was announced by an international consortium.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.