But our demands are not level 24/7 hence the need for pumped storage and facilities that can be ramped up at short notice.
Agreed.
I agree that there would be less installations and therefore less intrusive but impact on the environment? Sailing round offshore turbines could be fun. We seem to have accepted pylons these days despite their intrusion.
I guess on balance, my concern is that barrages could have a far greater impact on ecology than offshore windfarms.