Well, having been advised that the Parliamentary Library recommend Renewables Map for information on Solar Farms, See: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7434 I wrote to my MP Helen Whately and raised two issues.
Why was Parliament advised to use Renewables Map rather than the £160,000 DECC equivalent? Actually no real question as RESTATS / REPD is unusable as a ready resource.
And when providing a map was one of the requirements of the tender, also a requirement under INSPIRE, was there still no interactive map?
The questions were passed to Amber Rudd who ignored the first question entirely and regurgitated the same pat answers about why I didn’t get a look in on the tender. Basically: We are the Government, we always follow the rules and do no wrong.
My question:
“So, here we have the Government paying Eunomia for renewable energy project data collection and delivery. Being a joined up government I would be very interested in why “Renewables Map” my free resource is now being used as a reference within the House of Commons Library: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7434 (para heading “Converting solar to energy”).
I am more than happy for parliament, their library and MPs etc to use it, I see that as a fantastic pat on the back and would happily give even greater access, not all my data is visible. I do this already for very many students who base PhDs and MScs on my data and a growing number of schools who treat it as a core resource.
But what I would really appreciate is some understanding as to why DECC chose a company that is still failing to deliver when I had a track record going back 7 years at that time and had been previously used by DECC as their resource, but for free. “
No mention whatever in her reply.
As to the non existent map, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-energy-planning-data and scroll down to:
On-line Interactive Maps
Please note that this facility has been removed while we update it.
But Ms Rudd says there is a map ! At last, well done.
Oh, actually there isn’t a map. I have attached Ms Rudd’s letter, but here is the relevant text:
However, Mr Mallett may also be referring to the publication of an interactive map. This is a requirement under the European Directive 2007/2/EC, known as ‘INSPIRE’. The aim of INSPIRE is to facilitate better environmental policy across the EU and requires Member States to make available, in a consistent format, spatial datasets which come within the scope of the Directive and create network web services for accessing the datasets.
I can confirm that the REPD service has been developed to meet these aims and objectives. Users are directed to a web map service where they can download and ultimately use the REPD information to build their own maps or applications. I agree that the sign posting to this resource is not as clear as it might be, so I have asked for the web pages to be updated with this information
Well, I have tried to find this but have failed miserably. I have tried the option: GIS data is also available on data.gov. and that doesn’t work. For heavens sake, this is 18 months since the contract was awarded and a basic part of the system is still not available! Ms Rudd, I trust that you didn’t write that letter to me, simply signed it, they are taking the micky and making you look stupid!
INSPIRE is a requirement, DECC have failed to deliver.
There is no map, even the DIY map doesn’t work. How easy is it to add a map? Well, in the absence of a MAP for the REPD data, that has been paid for from Govt funds but not delivered, I included an additional location map for the REPD data I show as a convenient service to Parliament, and everybody else. It took about an hour to implement. There are no restrictions as I am simply providing a service that is otherwise missing – clearly welcomed by Parliament. I do add a proviso that this is not my data, and the location accuracy is a bit dodgy.
Filed under: decc, DECC, downloads, repd, restats, solar farm, Uncategorized, wind farm, wind farm, wind farm planning | Tagged: amber rudd, decc, eunomia, interactive map, online map, renewable energy, repd, restats | Leave a comment »