Severn Estuary Commission Unveils Findings on Tidal Range Energy Potential

With the world’s second-highest tidal range, the Severn Estuary presents a major opportunity for renewable energy generation. Today, the Severn Estuary Commission releases its final report, setting out the potential for tidal range energy to contribute to the UK’s low-carbon future and economic resilience.

Hardisty Jones Associates led the socio-economic workstream for the Commission, working in collaboration with Oxford Economics and Arcadis. This work assessed the economic impacts of tidal range energy projects, including job creation, supply chain development, and regional economic growth.

Our analysis highlights a significant opportunity to generate substantial jobs and GVA during construction (the scale of which would vary depending on the exact nature of the scheme pursued):

🔹 Between £2 bn–£12 bn in GVA for the UK economy

🔹 Between 30,000–220,000 employment years created during construction

🔹 Long-term benefits for regional supply chains and workforce development

However, the findings also emphasise the need for investment in workforce development and supply chain readiness to fully capture these benefits.

“Our work for the Commission demonstrates the scale of opportunity that tidal range energy presents for the Severn Estuary and the wider UK economy,” said Stuart Hardisty, Director at Hardisty Jones Associates. ” Government and industry will now need to act decisively to unlock this potential and ensure that economic benefits are maximised.”

The Commission recommends government-backed financial mechanisms to support tidal range energy projects, with a focus on tidal lagoons as its preferred development approach.