The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has asked Charles Hendry to lead the independent review into the feasibility and practicality of tidal lagoon energy in the UK. He is seeking evidence and representations that will form the evidence base for the Review.
The Terms of Reference can be found here. In summary, the review will cover:
An assessment of whether, and in what circumstances, tidal lagoons could play a cost effective role as part of the UK energy mix;
The potential scale of opportunity in the UK and internationally, including supply chain opportunities;
A range of possible structures for financing tidal lagoons;
Different sizes of projects as the first of a kind;
Whether a competitive framework could be put in place for the delivery of tidal lagoon projects.
My review is not targeted at any particular project but, in considering these issues, I am mindful that Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd, the proposed developers of Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, are in ongoing discussions with government about the terms of a potential Contract for Difference that might support the financing of the project. However, I nonetheless wish to receive evidence from both Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd and others about the costs, benefits and opportunities of tidal lagoons.
I am also seeking evidence of other potential sites, developers and opportunities, and the feasibility and practicalities of a wider UK tidal lagoon programme including, but not limited to, environmental and grid issues, navigation and ports impacts, supply chain and export opportunities and financing arrangements.
My team will notify any suitable opportunities for round-table meetings or discussions to those interested. Please register any interest using the contact details below.
In addition to this call for evidence and associated visits and any necessary meetings, I will be consulting with relevant Government departments and with the devolved administrations throughout the Review.
Charles Hendry
How to respond
Please submit any written evidence with a bearing on any of these issues by 31 July 2016. If necessary I will continue to consider new information into August, but it would be helpful to understand what this would be. The current email address for the Review is:
info@OP1.PSN360.FCOS.GSI.GOV.UK
The review is currently seeking offices. If you wish to submit information by post please contact the review team for further information.
If you have suggestions of people or organisations the Review may wish to involve or, sites that might be visited, please respond as soon as possible so I can consider the suggestion and make any appropriate arrangements.
If you have any questions my Review team will be happy to help at the above addresses.
Confidentiality and data protection:
My Review is independent of government and is my sole responsibility. The Review team comprises seconded civil servants supporting me in delivering my Terms of Reference and act on my instructions, rather than those of their home department.
Evidence and opinion received will not automatically be shared with government. However it may be used as part of the report which will be provided to government and published.
Information provided in response to this document, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information legislation (primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).
If you want information that you provide to be treated as confidential please say so clearly in writing when you send your response with reasons. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances.
An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.
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