Consultation impact on corporate reputation

Over the past two years the level of organization and sophistication that has gone into single issue protest campaigns has increased, with utilities facing particularly vocal campaigns relating to projects deemed to negatively impact the local environment.

The proliferation of social media sites has facilitated this activism, with Facebook groups now a common accompaniment to other campaign tactics

Most recently, EDF was accused of ‘jumping the gun’ by applying for planning permission for preparatory work on the new Hinkley Point reactor before the main plans have been approved. The response from utilities has been to routinely introduce public consultation on their strategic plans and declare commitment that any decision will depend on a full planning consent process involving further consultation in due course.

This article was written by Nicholas Chrysanthou, energy consultant analyst at Alva and released in full on Energy Business Review.