AbstractRenewable energy technology is investigated and some policy issues drawn out using the Severn Tidal Barrage proposal as a case study. Many advocates of renewable energy sources believe that they could be introduced in a modular, planned way and the Central Electricity Generating Board has said they could accept a 20% contribution from these sources without operational problems.However, renewables are often forced to compete with nuclear power which is backed by powerful interests, and there is a large imbalance in government financial resources for the two. Renewable energy faces an uphill fight even if allied with some elements within the private sector as in the Severn Barrage proposals.