{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use British English|date=December 2012}} {{Infobox company | name = Hafren Power Ltd. | logo = Corlan Hafren logo.jpg | logo_size = 100px | caption = | type = Private | founded = London, UK ({{Start date|2010|08|26|df=yes}}) | founder = {{unbulleted list|John Gummer<ref name="thisisbath 2010" /><ref name="telegraph booker 2012" />|Joseph Hannah|John Lucas|Anthony Pryor}} | defunct = 2014 | hq_location_city = London | hq_location_country = UK | area_served = | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Richard Bazley<ref name="businessweek bakewell 2012" />|Ian Gardner<ref name="thesundaytimes oconnell 2011" />|Ben Hamer<ref name="publicservice cg 2012">{{cite news|title=PROFILE- A balance of power|url=http://www.publicservice.co.uk/article.asp?publication=Central%20Government&id=529&content_name=Environment,%20Energy%20&article=18016|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=Central Government Issue 23|publisher=publicservice.co.uk|date=2 November 2011}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="bbc 2010" />}} | industry = Renewable energy | products = | services = | website = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130601203156/http://www.hafrenpower.com/ as archived in June 2013]}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hafrenpower.com/ |title=Hafren Power |publisher=Hafren Power |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601203156/http://www.hafrenpower.com/ |archivedate=1 June 2013}}</ref> }} '''Hafren Power''' (formerly '''Corlan Hafren''') was a tidal energy business formed to promote construction of a Severn Barrage between Wales and England.
== History ==
The company was established in 2010<ref name="thisisbath 2010">{{cite news|title=£20bn Severn barrage 'can be built with private cash'|url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Severn-barrage-created-privately/story-11340599-detail/story.html|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=Thisisbath|date=8 November 2010}}</ref> as a consortium of companies forming a tidal energy business.<ref name="utilityweek 2012">{{cite news|title=Energy & Climate Change Committee satisfied Lord Deben's Veolia Water interest no barrier to chairmanship|url=http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/news_story.asp?id=197390&title=Energy+%26+Climate+Change+Committee+satisfied+Lord+Deben%27s+Veolia+Water+interest+no+barrier+to+chairmanship|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=Utility Week|publisher=Faversham House Group|date=11 September 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Its founders included engineering and construction companies,<ref name="guardian hickman 2012">{{cite news|last=Hickman|first=Leo|title=Abandoned Severn tidal power project to be reconsidered|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/aug/20/severn-estuary-tidal-power-project|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="gazetteseries sauvebois 2012">{{cite news|last=Sauvebois|first=Marion|title=Private firm could pick up plans for barrage across River Severn|url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/9914327.Private_firm_could_pick_up_plans_for_barrage_across_River_Severn/|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=Gazetteseries|date=10 September 2012}}</ref> intending to promote the Severn Barrage.<ref name="gazetteseries sauvebois 2012" /> It was originally named Corlan Hafren,<ref name="businessweek bakewell 2012">{{cite news|last=Bakewell|first=Sally|title=U.K.'s $39 Billion Severn Tidal Power Seeks Sovereign Investors|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-20/u-dot-k-dot-s-39-billion-severn-tidal-power-seeks-sovereign-investors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919061256/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-20/u-dot-k-dot-s-39-billion-severn-tidal-power-seeks-sovereign-investors|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek|date=20 August 2012}}</ref> which means ''Severn Group'' in Welsh.<ref name="tidaltoday steiner-dicks 2011">{{cite news|last=Steiner-Dicks|first=K|title=Severn Barrage Consortium: the tidal tug-of-war is still on|url=http://social.tidaltoday.com/taxonomy/term/81/severn-barrage-consortium-tidal-tug-war-still|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=Tidal Today|publisher=FC Business Intelligence|date=15 March 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130204100957/http://social.tidaltoday.com/taxonomy/term/81/severn-barrage-consortium-tidal-tug-war-still|archivedate=4 February 2013}}</ref> {{as of|August 2012}} it comprises four companies, Arup,<ref name="newenergyworldnetwork 2">{{cite web|title=UK focus on wind and nuclear should not harm tidal energy development, says expert|url=http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/investor-news/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/water/uk-focus-on-wind-and-nuclear-should-not-harm-tidal-energy-development-says-expert.html|work=newenergyworldnetwork|publisher=New Energy World Network|accessdate=18 September 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025184631/http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/investor-news/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/water/uk-focus-on-wind-and-nuclear-should-not-harm-tidal-energy-development-says-expert.html|archivedate=25 October 2011}}</ref> Mott MacDonald,<ref name="newenergyworldnetwork 2" /><ref name="cospp 2012">{{cite news|title=August's top stories: Hurricane Isaac causes blackouts as US halts nuclear plans|url=http://www.cospp.com/news/2012/09/05/august-s-top-stories-hurricane-isaac-causes-blackouts-as-us-halts-nuclear-plans.html|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production|publisher=PennWell|date=5 September 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="corlan hafren regional vision 2012" /> Halcrow<ref name="newenergyworldnetwork 2" /><ref name="corlan hafren regional vision 2012">[http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Journals/1/Files/2010/10/18/Halcrow%20Severn_Barrage_Vision_0ct_2010.pdf The Severn Barrage, Regional Vision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002010032/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Journals/1/Files/2010/10/18/Halcrow%20Severn_Barrage_Vision_0ct_2010.pdf |date=2 October 2013 }}, October 2012, Corlan Hafren</ref> and architects Marks Barfield.<ref name="newenergyworldnetwork 2" /><ref name="corlan hafren regional vision 2012" /> Halcrow is lead company.<ref name="rechargenews snieckus 2011">{{cite news|last=Snieckus|first=Darius|title=Huge tidal deployment mooted for $80bn Thames Hub scheme|url=http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wave_tidal_hydro/article286882.ece|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=Recharge|date=2 November 2011}}</ref> Associated companies and persons involved in the project include Atkins, Rolls-Royce,<ref name="thesundaytimes oconnell 2011">{{cite news|last=OConnell|first=Dominic|title=Severn barrage awaits the right time and tide|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/roadtorecovery/article587453.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002180507/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/roadtorecovery/article587453.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 October 2013|work=The Sunday Times|date=27 March 2011|accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref> accountants KPMG<ref name="tidaltoday steiner-dicks 2011" /><ref name="theengineer harris 2010">{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Stephen|title=Rejection of Severn tidal barrage provokes response|url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/rejection-of-severn-tidal-barrage-provokes-response/1005569.article|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002010755/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/rejection-of-severn-tidal-barrage-provokes-response/1005569.article|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 October 2013|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=The Engineer|date=18 October 2010}}</ref> and Roger Falconer.<ref name="tidaltoday steiner-dicks 2011" />
Journalist Christopher Booker of ''The Sunday Telegraph'' noted in August 2012 that former Conservative environment secretary John Gummer is a former director of the company. {{As of|August 2012}} one sixth of shares were held by Sancroft International, which is owned by the Gummer family.<ref name="telegraph booker 2012">{{cite news|last=Booker|first=Christopher|authorlink=Christopher Booker|title=The tangled tale of Lord Deben and a dodgy Severn barrage|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9498568/The-tangled-tale-of-Lord-Deben-and-a-dodgy-Severn-barrage.html|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 August 2012}}</ref>
The House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Select Committee examined Hafren Power's proposal in 2013, coming to the conclusion:
{{Quote|Although construction of the barrage would be privately financed, Government support would be required for approximately thirty years through Contracts for Difference (CfD) or a similar mechanism. The strike price required by Hafren Power is unknown, but the ability of the project to compete with other low-carbon forms of energy is in doubt. A high strike price risks swamping the Levy Control Framework (LCF), while a strike price below £100/MWh appears unlikely to ensure the project’s economic viability.
Hafren Power have failed to overcome the serious environmental concerns that have been raised. Further research, data and modelling are needed before environmental impacts can be determined with any certainty – in particular regarding fluvial flood risk, intertidal habitats and impact to fish. The need for compensatory habitat on an unprecedented scale casts doubt on whether the project could achieve compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.<ref name="energysc-2014"/>}}
In 2013 and 2014 several executives and the CEO resigned.<ref name="bbc-20140326">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26742193 |title=Severn Barrage: Chief quits to set up rival firm |author=Brian Meechan |publisher=BBC |date=26 March 2014 |accessdate=3 October 2015}}</ref> Shortly after, Wales Online reported Hafren Power as defunct.<ref name="walesonline-20140402">{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/severn-barrage-backers-close-10m-6904869 |title=Severn Barrage backers close in on 10m initial fundraising target |newspaper=Wales Online |date=2 April 2014 |accessdate=3 October 2015}}</ref>
== Severn Barrage ==
In 2010 the company revived proposals for the Severn Barrage<ref name="bbc 2010">{{cite news|title=Firm says Severn barrage plan could be resurrected|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-11609676|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=22 October 2010}}</ref> from Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare<ref name="walesonline hutchinson 2010">{{cite news|last=Hutchinson|first=Clare|title='Real cost' of Severn Barrage £34bn|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/10/19/real-cost-of-severn-barrage-34bn-91466-27498178/|accessdate=18 September 2012|newspaper=WalesOnline|date=19 October 2010}}</ref> and in 2011 it presented them to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.<ref name="penarthtimes 2012">{{cite news|title=£30 billion plans for Severn barrage back in the spotlight|url=http://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/9888385.__30_billion_plans_for_Severn_barrage_back_in_the_spotlight/|accessdate=6 April 2018|newspaper=Penarth Times|date=23 August 2012}}</ref> Former shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and company representatives met with Prime Minister David Cameron in July 2012 to promote the project.<ref name="penarthtimes 2012" />
The company said that the project will not require public funding and expected to attract investment from venture capital firms and pension funds.<ref name="theengineer harris 2010" /> It had sought funding from sovereign wealth funds,<ref name="businessweek bakewell 2012" /> stating that expressions of interest have been received from such funds and other investors in Kuwait, Qatar,<ref name="independent 2012">{{cite news|title=No 10 asks ministers: Can we now support £30bn Severn barrage?|last=Chorley|first=Matt|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/no-10-asks-ministers-can-we-now-support-30bn-severn-barrage-8060064.html|accessdate=17 September 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 August 2012}}</ref> the UK<ref name="newenergyworldnetwork 2010">{{cite web|title=Severn Barrage tidal energy consortium in talks with private investors|url=http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/investor-news/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/water/severn-barrage-tidal-energy-consortium-in-talks-with-private-investors.html|work=NewNet|publisher=New Energy World Network|accessdate=18 September 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025185853/http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/investor-news/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/water/severn-barrage-tidal-energy-consortium-in-talks-with-private-investors.html|archivedate=25 October 2011}}</ref> and elsewhere.<ref name="independent 2012" />
Hafren Power stated the scheme would require £25 billion of capital investment, and estimated power costs were about £100 per MWh for the first 30 years, and £20 per MWh thereafter.<ref name="energysc-2014">{{cite web|title=A Severn Barrage? |work=Energy and Climate Change – Second Report |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenergy/194/19402.htm |publisher=Parliament UK |id=HC 194 |accessdate=21 April 2014}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|25em}}
Category:Tidal power companies of the United Kingdom Category:British companies established in 2010 Category:Energy companies established in 2010 Category:Renewable resource companies established in 2010 Category:2010 establishments in England