I should like to know the details surrounding the award of the exclusive rights to develop hydropower at Marlow Weir to SEPEL and Maidenergy.

The request was partially successful.

Dear Environment Agency,

It was reported to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Big Society Panel on 5th July 2012:

“The Environment Agency has assessed hydropower proposals for Marlow, Bell, Boulters and Boveney weirs.

1. Southeast Power Engineering Ltd (SEPEL), in partnership with MaidEnergy co-operative, have been awarded exclusive rights to develop Marlow. MaidEnergy are intending to issue a Community Share launch, allowing local people to invest in, and benefit from, the development of hydropower.

2. Southeast Power Engineering Ltd has been awarded Bell Weir and is starting development of the hydropower project at this, with an estimated completion date of mid 2013.

3. HP Projects (James Heather and Paul Parker) have been awarded Boulters. HP Projects are the same team (known as Ham Hydro) who are developing Teddington. Whilst a commercial enterprise, they are committed through the expression of interest to put 15% of the generating income back into local renewable energy projects.

4. Boveney is not being developed at this stage due to the poor proximity of the sub-station and generation potential as there is limited head for fall, but may become viable in future as ERDF funding supports development of the technology by Southeast Power Engineering Ltd.”

Can you please provide:

• details of the Environment Agency’s assessment of the proposals for the weirs, including the impact assessments and the cost-benefit analyses, (if any) that were carried out to support the installations and in particular how the Environment Agency assessed the effect on upstream flood risk at Marlow and Bell Weirs;

• details of the process which resulted in SEPEL and Maidenergy being awarded exclusive rights to develop Marlow Weir, SEPEL being awarded rights to develop Bell Weir and HP Projects being awarded rights to develop Boulters Weir;

• the names of the groups or organizations which also bid for the development rights to the three weirs;

• details of the due diligence process that was performed by the Environment Agency to satisfy itself that the selected organizations would be capable of executing the developments including past development record and technical and financial capacity;

• details of the guarantees that will be put in place to ensure that, should the developer fail to complete the installation at Marlow weir, or abandon it in the future, the objects such as the screws and troughs will be removed.

Yours faithfully,

Mike Post

Enquiries, Unit, Environment Agency

4 Attachments

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Enquiries, Unit, Environment Agency

4 Attachments

Dear Mike,

 

Thank you for your email requesting information on the hydropower
proposals for Marlow, Bell, Boulters and Boveney weirs.

 

For your information, I have passed your query to our local External
Relations Team (Planning and Corporate Services) for advice. They will
check whether we hold this information and they will be in touch with you
shortly. The External Relations team have 20 working days from the date we
receive your enquiry to provide a response, and they will get this to you
as soon as possible.

 

Should you wish to contact them in the meantime, their details are below.
Please quote your Enquiry Ref 130308/SC06 in your correspondence with us.

 

External Relations

Planning and Corporate Services

Environment Agency

South East Region, Thames West Area

Redkite House

Howbery Park

WALLINGFORD

OX10 8BD

 

Tel: 03708 506506

 

If we can be of further assistance, please contact us again.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Simon Cutts 

Customer Service Advisor

Email Enquiries Unit

National Customer Contact Centre

Part of National Operations

Environment Agency

Tel: 03708 506506

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WT Enquiries, Environment Agency

11 Attachments

Dear Mr Post

 

Thank you for your email of 8 March, 2013.

 

Please find attached my letter along with attachments including our
Standard Notice.

 

With regards

Melinda Crosfield
External Relations Officer
Environment Planning and Engagement
West Thames
Direct Dial : 01491 828511
Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Howbery Park,
Wallingford, OX10 8BD 

 

 

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