The map below shows hotspot areas for hydropower potential in England and Wales. Roll over the map to see data for each region
Definitions
Sensitivity - Opportunities are classified as low, medium or high environmental sensitivity based on the fish species likely to be present and whether the site is in a designated area. This is a basic assessment that does not consider the full suite of environmental impacts, and is therefore indicative only.
Win-wins - Removing a barrier is usually the best thing to do to improve the ability of fish to move around a river and fulfill their lifecycle, but this is not always possible. The next best option is to introduce a fish pass. Win-win opportunities are schemes that provide both a good hydropower opportunity, and could, through incorporation of a fish pass, improve the ecological status of the associated fish population.
Barriers - These are structures within rivers that could provide a hydropower opportunity but are also barriers to fish movement. They are mostly weirs.
More information
The map is based on a report commissioned by the Environment Agency to assess hydropower potential of our rivers and the impact of developing them on the environment.
In total over 25,000 sites were identified. These sites represent existing structures within rivers such as weirs and locks. As well as hydropower opportunities they are barriers to fish movement and migration.
If a hydropower scheme were built on every one of these barriers they could generate one per cent of the UK’s electricity needs. In reality, only some of these sites could be exploited due to environmental sensitivities, particularly the impact on migratory fish populations such as salmon and eels, as well as practical constraints such as access to the electricity network.
However, we identified around 4,000 sites where a sensitively designed scheme incorporating a fish-pass could actually improve the local environment as well as generate electricity. The majority of these ‘win-win’ opportunities are on rivers such as the Severn, Thames, Aire and Neath.
Downloads
Annex documents showing the potential hydropower opportunities by region
