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The River Severn in South West England has a tidal range approaching 14m, the second highest in the world.

There are proposals to build a 10 mile long barrage across the river to utilise the tidal power to produce renewable energy.

If built, it's estimated that the barrage will produce around 6% of the electricity needs of England and Wales. As a source of power, it would have few equals - at least the output of two nuclear power stations.

It will take around six years to build and could be generating power as early as 2017.

Although a barrage would produce predictable and safe carbon-free electricity and help the UK reduce it's CO2 emissions, the project is opposed by some environmental groups (Friends of the Earth and the RSPB) because of the effect it will have on wildlife habitats and conservation areas in the estuary.
The tidal range would be significantly reduced above the barrage, reducing the mud flats where wading birds feed.

The barrage would be a very expensive multi-million pound project, but this money has been pledged by private investors so would not be a problem.

Having thought about the barrage proposal, I have come down in favour of the idea. Although some wildlife habitats will be changed and attract different species, the benefits from the renewable energy produced outweighs the negative impacts of the scheme in my opinion. Plus the effect of doing nothing to reduce CO2 emissions on wildlife habitats all around the world will be massive and terrible.
I do feel bad about the wading birds... sad but I feel we have to keep a grip on the bigger picture. I was a member of the RSPB and I'm in a local Friends of the Earth group - I can see where they're coming from but I think their position is a little short-sighted. sweatdrop

Yes, it's the ideal place to build a barrage because of the huge tidal range.
I think a barrage needs at least a 5 metre tidal range to be viable so 14 metres is great.

If a barrage scheme got planning permission, I'm sure it would need to provide mitagation to compensate for disruption to the local environment as a condition of permission.
Wetland habitats can be created, I visited an RSPB reserve once where they had carried out a lot of changes to the landscape, (digging large trenches and channels, flooding, building up islands and planting lots of reeds) so I'm sure it could be done.
3nodding

I messed up my vote. It shows an oppose but its supose to be for. Its a rather fine idea and the enviroment can take nother punch, right? I mean look at how well our forest are holding up.
I only wish that they would do something this good for America.