We support the use of sustainable renewable energy, including hydropower, to help meet UK and Welsh Assembly Government renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Our position
We have published Good Practice Guidance for hydropower schemes. This clearly communicates what needs to be done to comply with environmental and other legislation.
We are working proactively to encourage hydropower through identifying and mapping hydropower opportunities and streamlining our permitting process.
Where schemes would not be compliant with environmental or other legislation by, for example, preventing the passage of migratory fish or increasing flood risk, we will not support their development.
Background
Achieving our climate change targets will require a massive shift from unabated combustion of coal, oil and gas to renewable energy and other energy technologies with very low greenhouse gas emissions. The UK is committed to generating 15 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020, and the Committee on Climate Change advises that the electricity sector needs to cut its net emissions of carbon dioxide almost entirely by 2030.
Hydropower produces 1.2 per cent of electricity consumed in the UK. The potential to increase this is limited, but there is some potential for the expansion of small-scale ‘low head’ hydropower. This could make a small but useful contribution to our energy mix. Hydropower schemes can, however, threaten fish populations and other aspects of river ecology, both through direct damage to fish if they pass through a turbine and where it leaves reduced flows in the river and can increase flood risk or adversely affect land drainage if not properly designed.
Our role
Hydropower schemes require a number of permits and consents issued by the Environment Agency, including an abstraction and/or impoundment licence and flood defence consent. We also have a regulatory duty to ensure that schemes are in compliance with environmental regulations such as the:
- Water Framework Directive - the freedom of movement of fish, upstream or downstream, is an important component of achieving or maintaining good ecological status.
- Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975) – we are required to maintain, improve and develop all freshwater fisheries, and to ensure the free passage of migratory salmon and sea trout.
- We have published good practice guidance (GPG) for use by developers and Environment Agency staff that describes how these environmental concerns can be accounted for in hydropower schemes.
Ecological and other impacts
The Environment Agency is required to consider the individual and cumulative impacts of hydropower schemes on fisheries, ecology and flood risk. Possible effects include:
- Reduction in the fish population, invertebrates, fauna and plant communities in river channels or weir pools from which water is diverted.
- Delay or obstruction to the passage of fish by, for example, attracting fish away from their main migration route.
- Certain turbines can kill or damage fish and therefore need appropriate screening oriented to guide them to a safe route.
- Increased flood risk in the surrounding area through, for example, raised water levels, reduced capacity through river structures and impacts on the operation of land drainage.
What is a sustainable hydropower scheme?
A sustainable hydropower scheme builds environmental protection into the siting and design of the scheme. Key features include:
- A fish-friendly turbine, such as the Archimedes screw, and/or adequate screening of the turbine.
- Safe passage for fish where appropriate.
- Sufficient flow in any depleted reach to maintain the ecology and the fishery, including its amenity value.
- Design that avoids impairing flood management structures or adversely affecting land drainage so that flood risk in the area is not increased.
Developers of hydropower schemes are advised to contact the Environment Agency at an early stage to discuss their proposals. Call our customer service line 0370 8506506.
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