Strategic Environmental Assessment Best Practice Process Elements and Outcomes in the International Electricity Sector

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution of SEA in six international electricity sector planning case studies. All cases showed some "best practice" evidence such as participation, alternatives consideration and impact assessment; however, considerable variability was found in the types of alternatives considered and the approach to impact assessment and monitoring depending on the timing of SEA application in the PPP process. Regarding substantive contributions, SEA was identified by stakeholders as improving communication during planning and informing lower-level decision making, but fared less well in influencing the nature of the PPP at hand; only two cases clearly incorporated SEA recommendations into the final PPP. Overall, results show considerable potential for SEA to support PPP assessment and decision making in the electricity sector, but also a considerable need for improvements in understanding of the importance of the timing of SEA in the PPP process and how to integrate the results of SEA into PPP development.

Strategic Environmental Assessment for Planning Sugarcane Expansion: A Framework Proposal

“…In addition, discussions about the impact assessment of renewable energy were also considered, in particular the recommendations proposed by Mulvihill, Winfield and Etcheverry (2013), Oldreive (2013) and White and Noble (2013). Public participation, recognized as one of the fundamental procedures for the success of the SEA (FITZPA-TRICK; SINCLAIR, 2003;COSTA;BURSZTYN;NASCIMENTO, 2009;REGA;BALDIZZONE, 2015), is included in this roadpmap.…”

Best practices for Strategic Environmental Assessment and application to the Ontario Long-Term Energy Plan

“…SEA is argued to provide a sound basis for informed decision-making towards sustainability (White and Noble, 2013). Therefore, it is necessary that decisions with respect to energy policy take into consideration strategic decision-making and SEA of PPPs.…”

“…Widely accepted SEA process criteria for SEA good practice have been developed by SEA scholars and practitioners (Therivel and Partidario, 1996;Partidario 2000Partidario , 2003Partidario and 2012Wood and Dejeddour, 1992;Noble 2002Noble , 2009Gibson et al, 2010;Therivel, 2004;Benevides et al, 2008;Noble, 2013 andSadler 1998). The common SEA process criteria described by these scholars and practitioners are identified in Table 7.…”

“…Another strength of this SEA was that it incorporated an assessment of the cumulative impacts (Oldreive, 2013). One of the weaker sides of this SEA was that even though the SEA examined the implementation of alternative energy technologies (i.e., Alternative Methods), it did not include an examination of strategic"Alternatives To" the proposed plan (White and Noble, 2013). , 2009).…”

“…EA is a commonly accepted practice undertaken for developing energy infrastructure and decisions about energy have typically been made through EAs on a project-byproject basis. However, as a result of the shortcomings of project-level EA and due to the social, environmental and economic impacts associated with energy generation and supply, it is recognized that the energy sector is an "ideal candidate" for SEA and that SEA can help decision makers make informed choices with respect to long-term sustainability of PPPs of energy initiatives (Jay, 2010;White and Noble, 2013).…”