A proposed shortlist of schemes to generate clean, green electricity from the power of the tides in the Severn estuary has been unveiled by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The shortlist includes a mixture of barrages and innovative lagoon schemes.

The five projects, on the proposed shortlist are Cardiff Weston Barrage, Shoots Barrage, Beachley Barrage, Bridgwater Bay Lagoon and Fleming Lagoon.

The Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has also announced £500,000 of new funding to further develop embryonic technologies like tidal reefs and fences. The progress of these technologies will be considered before decisions are taken whether to go ahead with a Severn tidal power scheme.

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The tides in the Severn estuary are the second highest in the world. The largest proposal being taken forward has the potential to generate nearly 5% of the UK's electricity from a domestic, low carbon and sustainable source.

Over the past year, the Government-led feasibility study has been investigating a list of ten options, gathering information on the costs, benefits and environmental challenges of using the estuary to generate power.

All ten projects and the proposed shortlist will now be subject to a three month public consultation which begins today.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Fighting climate change is the biggest long term challenge we face and we must look to use the UK's own natural resources to generate clean, green electricity."

Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson said: "Harnessing the power of the Severn Estuary tides could make a significant contribution towards achieving the UK targets for renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, but we must ensure that environmental issues are taken fully into account.

"The shortlisted schemes are based on relatively well understood hydroelectric technologies, with a mix of existing and new engineering structures. It is proposed that the economic, social, and environmental impacts of these be studied further in the second phase of the government study."

(JM/BMcC)