Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay

Enquiry received via email

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay

30 January 2015
Phil Jones

Enquiry

Please see your reply (attached) to my enquiry (below) about the "capacity"
of generating stations for the purposes of the NSIP provisions of the Planning Act 2008.
I have to say that I didn't find your reply very convincing, so I covered the point in our Written Representation to the Examining Authority considering the DCO application for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon (extract attached). I asked the ExA to make a ruling on the point but heard nothing - the examination proceeded without comment by the ExA.
I have now come across the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (2014 DUKES
attached) and would appreciate your observations on paras 5.79, 5.80, 6.50 and 6.115. Similar points are made in the corresponding paragraphs in the
2013 DUKES.
Were you aware of these points when you sent me your reply in August 2013?
If replying now, would your reply still be the same?

Advice given

I am glad that you were able to participate in the examination of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. The Examining Authority, and then Secretary of State, will have regard to all the matters which they consider both important and relevant.
I was not aware of the content of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2014 when I replied in August 2013, however, it does not change the advice given.
In the intervening period the Planning Inspectorate has issue similar advice for a different case which you may find pertinent: attachment 1
You will notice that the Renewables Obligation Order quoted in the advice contains the following within the definitions, which is consistent with Inspectorate practice:
?declared net capacity?, in relation to a generating station, means the maximum capacity at which the station could be operated for a sustained period without causing damage to it (assuming the source of power used by it to generate electricity was available to it without
interruption) less the amount of electricity that is consumed by the plant;"


attachment 1
attachment 1