Hafren Power, the company set up by investors hoping to build and operate the Severn Estuary barrage, has announced that five global companies are now working on the project.
They have expertise in engineering, construction, project management and logistics and are working with Hafren Power on its proposal to build a £25 billion, 18km (11 mile) electricity generating barrage across the Severn estuary.
Arup, Bechtel, DHL, Mott MacDonald and URS are currently assessing what will be required to manage the planning consents and environmental approval processes.
If the Barrage eventually gets the go-ahead, the nine-year build would be the biggest British infrastructure project since the Channel Tunnel.
A government minister has cast doubt on whether the proposed Severn barrage should go ahead.
A private consortium wants to build a £25 billion barrage between Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff, though it would require government support.
Hafren Power claims it could generate 5% of the country's energy from the tidal power harnessed.
But today the Energy Minister Greg Barker MP told MPs more work needed to be done to establish the costs and impact it would have on wildlife and the port of Bristol.
Full report: Former Minister urges Government to get behind Severn Barrage project
A former Minister has urged the Government to get behind the Severn Barrage project.
It would cost a staggering twenty five billion pounds - of private sector money - and according to former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, would generate five per cent of the country's entire electricity from tidal power.
However it's strongly opposed by conservation groups - who say it would damage internationally-protected mudflats - and by the port of Bristol. Today MPs heard both sides of the argument, as our political correspondent Bob Constantine reports.
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Map of the Dakar Rally route Credit: ITV West
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Andy Richards of the Unite union says there is "significant" public support in Wales for the Severn barrage. He said it was time to move on from the "scaremongering" and start to examine the detail of the proposal by Hafren Power, the firm behind the scheme.
Labour MP says Severn barrage is a 'win-win' for Ports in Bristol
Labour MP Peter Hain, told the Energy and Climate Change Committee that the prospect of a Severn barrage has been 'studied to death' and it's time it all went ahead. He said the project would create 50,000 jobs and provide flood protection to 90,000 properties.
This has been studied to death. We could carry on researching this for decades to come, meanwhile we are not achieving our climate change objectives and missing out on the massive economic benefits.
We have to think big, act big and grasp this opportunity. This is natural power which in the long term will produce incredibly cheap electricity for the UK and has many other benefits."
Severn barrage crossing will mean a 'loss of high water'
Simon Bird, the boss of the Bristol Port Company has told a committee of MPs that building a barrage across the Severn estuary could be a "killer" to his business.
Bristol Port Company boss says Severn barrage could kill his business
Artist impression of what the Severn Barrage will look like Credit: ITV West
The boss of the Bristol Port Company has told a committee of MPs that building a barrage across the Severn estuary could be a "killer" to his business.
Simon Bird was giving evidence to the Energy Select committee which is looking at the 25 billion pound scheme to generate electricity from tidal power. Simon Bird said a build-up of silt behind the barrage make it harder for large ships could reach the port.
Plans for a controversial barrage across the Severn estuary have gained the support of the former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. The MP says he is leaving the Shadow Cabinet to devote himself to the project
Plans for a controversial barrage across the Severn estuary have gained the support of the former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.
The barrage would harness the tidal power of the River Severn Credit: ITV West
The scheme for a network of underwater turbines between Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff could generate 5% of Britain's energy by harnessing tidal power. Mr Hain says he is leaving the Shadow Cabinet to campaign for the barrage.
