Hydropower schemes in England and Wales increase

The number of hydropower schemes planned in England and Wales since 2008 has increased from ten to 65, the Environment Agency has announced.

To assist the communities, developers and individuals looking to capitalise on Government incentives to produce renewable electricity, the Environment Agency has simplified the application process to install hydropower schemes. There will be no change to the standards of environmental protection as a result.

Hydropower schemes can have complicated impacts, including changing river flows, which in turn can affect fish migration and downstream habitats as well as introducing flood risk. To ensure the environment and river life are protected, a range of permissions covering abstraction, fish movement and flood defence, are required from the Environment Agency.

Environment Agency teams throughout England and Wales will provide early advice to developers of hydropower schemes to help them produce well-designed sustainable schemes.

The Environment Agency has been working with industry, anglers, NGOs and landowners on ways to improve the existing permitting process.

With around 350 hydropower schemes currently licensed by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Environment Agency estimates that this number could rise to around 1,200 by 2020.

Dr Paul Leinster, the Environment Agency’s Chief Executive, said: “Hydropower is a reliable and proven technology and it is increasingly attractive to local communities, organisations and individuals."

"But poorly designed schemes could have damaging impacts on the environment and increase risk of flooding."

Further information:
Environment Agency