The first Severn tidal power consultation has now closed. Since the launch of the consultation—which was attended by some 150 stakeholders—I have chaired several Severn tidal power parliamentary forums (for MPs, Lords, Welsh Assembly Members, and MEPs); a regional forum with senior representatives of local authorities, local business and environmental organisations; and launched the Severn Embryonic Technologies Scheme, to fund the development of new technology proposals. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State replied to the private Member’s debate on the feasibility study in Westminster Hall.
DECC officials have (in addition to a large number of bilateral meetings with stakeholders) attended a wide variety of stakeholder and public meetings including those listed:
A meeting of the Steering Group for the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Severn tidal power.
Multiple meetings with local strategic partnerships, council members and officials.
Two public meetings (in Brean and Burnham-on-Sea) organised by the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory).
Two public forums on tidal energy (in Bristol and Cardiff) organised by the Royal Society of Arts.
A public meeting in Penarth organised by Chris Franks AM and Leanne Wood AM.
A public meeting organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition in Bristol.
National Council of Women Seminar 2009 at Minsterworth, Gloucester.
Frampton on Severn Sailing Club meeting.
The South West TUC Conference.
The Institute of Civil Engineers Severn Tidal Energy Conference.
The BERR and DECC Business Climate Change and Energy Group (for energy companies and users).
Renewable Energy Association Ocean Energy Group.
Citi Institutional Investors Group.
Several meetings with regional port authorities.
The Department's partners in the feasibility study (including Welsh Assembly Government, the South West Regional Development Agency, and Government Office South West) and consultants to the feasibility study have also attended a number of meetings and events to provide information about the study and consultation.
The general public and those likely to be affected by the proposed shortlist of potential Severn tidal power schemes have been engaged in the feasibility study in the following ways:
A three month public consultation on the recommended short-list of schemes and the scope of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. The consultation, supporting documents and an accessible summary of information were all made available on our website.
The Severn Tidal Parliamentary Forum for MPs, Lords and AMs.
The Severn Tidal Regional Forum co-chaired by Jane Davidson AM, the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) and me for senior representatives of local authorities, local business and environmental organisations.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment Steering Group, which includes statutory advisers, environmental NGOs, business representatives and academics.
Numerous meetings with stakeholders.
Public meetings for local businesses, representatives and individuals as requested by the local MP.
Interviews with local and national media to raise the public profile of the consultation.
Encouraging stakeholders and third parties to hold events to inform their own constituencies and providing materials to aid their discussions.
Regular email updates to the over one thousand stakeholders and members of the public who have expressed an interest in receiving information on the feasibility study.
Nearly 10,000 unique visitors have visited our consultation website and around 700 consultation responses have been received.