FOLLOWING the announcement on January 27 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) of a shortlist of five projects aimed at harnessing renewable energy from the Severn Estuary (Penarth Times, January 29), much has been said and written about the appearance on the shortlist of a barrage connecting Lavernock point to Brean Down.

It is said that such a barrage could supply the UK with five per cent of its energy requirements.

What is important to say at this stage is that, whilst the Lavernock-Weston Barrage is the most-studied option, no final decision has been taken by Assembly Members.

During a debate in the Senedd on January 27, the Minister for Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson stressed that the Assembly had an environmental responsibility for the area and not an overarching energy responsibility for the UK.

What I feel is also crucial is that residents of Sully, Lavernock and Penarth are properly informed of the impact a potential barrage would have on the area, both during construction and when it’s operational.

It is for this reason that, during the debate in the chamber, I asked the Minister to ensure that official public debates are held during which local residents would be in possession of all the available information on all the options before reaching a conclusion.

Once this is done, the voices of the residents who would be affected by any potential barrage would be heard by those taking the final decision.

I am in regular contact with our Member of Parliament, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, who has followed the debate for many years and has spoken directly to the Energy Minister Mike O’Brien MP.

Alun has said to me that we cannot hope to combat climate change unless we examine every option for renewable energy, but that decisions must be clearly based on having all the information that is necessary to reach the right decision.

He has been assured by Ministers that the five listed options are literally “preferred” on the basis of the evidence seen so far, and that Ministers are open to evidence that favours other options outside the five listed, and will listen carefully to the public debate on the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

The public consultation period has already begun and I would urge residents who are interested in this subject to visit the DECC consultation website http://severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk where there is extensive information on all aspects of the project, as well as an option of leaving comments and opinions.

Lorraine Barrett Assembly Member Cardiff South & Penarth