Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the recommendations of the Severn Estuary Commission's report, published in March 2025, on financial and commercial models for tidal range projects, including its recommendation that a tailored regulated asset base model should be developed; and what steps they intend to take in response to the report.

The Government remains open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range energy, including barrage schemes and other alternatives. We are considering relevant evidence, including analysis by the National Energy System Operator. Any proposal, and its potential funding model, would need to demonstrate strong value for money compared with other low-carbon technologies, alongside energy-system benefits, an acceptable financial risk profile and credible environmental mitigation.