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The article describes the potential of tidal barrage solutions for renewable energy generation in Great Britain. The installations on eight major estuaries has been demonstrated, in which they should be capable of meeting at least 10% of present electricity demand, and employing fully proven technology. Under favourable British Treasury discount rates, the demand must be achievable at unit electricity prices that are likely to be competitive against future costs of alternative sources.

This paper examines the similarities and contrasts between environmental and water quality changes caused by the 1966 tidal power barrage at La Rance in North Brittany, France and those expected to result from construction of a tidal power barrage in the Severn estuary in the UK. Over the 40-year period since the opening of La Rance, a great deal of knowledge has been accumulated concerning the operation of such schemes and the way water quality and ecosystems have altered. Knowledge gained from experiences at Rance is consequently of great benefit in predicting the effects of the proposed Severn barrage. The nature of the changes anticipated in the Severn estuary is thus unambiguous, but whether this would make the estuary better or worse is a matter of perception. As at Rance, it would be different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]