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David Williams British Hydropower Association

Environment Protection Requirements for Small Hydro Schemes. European Hydropower Summit Bucharest – 28 February 2012. David Williams British Hydropower Association. Environment Protection Requirements For Small Hydro Schemes. Based on UK Experience. Scope of Presentation:

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David Williams British Hydropower Association

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  1. Environment Protection Requirements for Small Hydro Schemes European Hydropower Summit Bucharest – 28 February 2012 David Williams British Hydropower Association

  2. Environment Protection Requirements For Small Hydro Schemes Based on UK Experience Scope of Presentation: 1. UK Hydro – overview 2. “Environmental” opposition to hydropower 3. Creating a balance 4. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes

  3. UK Hydro – overview History of hydro development To Mid 1800’s – Waterpower - Private

  4. UK Hydro – overview History of hydro development Mid 1800’s - Private

  5. UK Hydro – overview History of hydro development 1940’s – Public - CEGB and NOSHEB

  6. UK Hydro – overview History of hydro development From 1990’s - Private New Refurbished Micro

  7. UK Hydro – existing and potential Types of Hydro in UK • Pumped Storage • Storage hydro • Run of river hydro • Micro hydro • Energy recovery from water supply and water • treatment • Refurbishment/replacement and upgrade of old plant

  8. UK Hydro – existing and potential Present Hydro Capacity in UK • Conventional hydro – 1.5 GW • Pumped storage – 2.8 GW

  9. UK Hydro – existing and potential Potential England & Wales EA Hydro mapping study 2010 26,000 barriers 4,000 “win-win” hydro / fish pass ~ 600 MW DECC / WG study 250 MW

  10. UK Hydro – existing and potential Potential Scotland Scottish Government studies 2008 & 2009 1200 schemes 1200 MW

  11. UK Hydro – existing and potential Potential new Hydro Capacity in UK Pumped Storage - 1 GW Conventional Hydro Scotland 1200 MW England & Wales 250 MW N Ireland ~10 MW Water supply and water treatment ~40 MW TOTAL new potential 2.5 GW of which conventional hydro is 1.5 GW Doubling existing conventional hydro capacity

  12. UK Hydro – overview Renewables Incentives: Renewable Obligation (RO) Feed-in Tariff (FiT) ROC Banding Review 2011 FiT Review 2012

  13. UK Hydro – overview Four Countries

  14. “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower Campaign organisation • Only aims – • Protect Fish Stocks • Increase number of anglers • “fishing for fun & in competitions” 4 Campaigns against hydropower in 2011 Widely quoted Legal arm – “Fish Legal”

  15. “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower Kills Fish Inhibits movement of fish Destroys fish habitat Has a cumulative impact throughout a river system

  16. “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower Poor regulation Little addition to UK electricity production Massive returns

  17. “The EA is licencing hundreds of schemes without knowing what the impact is. In Europe, they’re busily tearing out ugly fish-mincing machines they put in 10 years ago, having realised the error of their ways. If hydropower were generating 30% of energy requirements, we would be more accommodating, but the reality is you could just switch off a few lights and achieve the same effect” Angling Trust EMOTIVE ! INACURATE ! UNBALACED ! DESTRUCTIVE !

  18. Creating a balance Hydropower Environmental Impact Available Flow • Fish Protection: • Fish Passes • Fish screening • Eel regulations Other ecology protection Flood risk

  19. Creating a balance Hydropower Environmental Impact Regulatory problems • Increased numbers of applications • Local views • Inconsistency in consenting process

  20. Creating a balance Hydropower Benefits • Renewable energy source – carbon savings • National targets • Security of supply • Long lasting • Developed technology • Highest energy payback ratio • Etc,etc………

  21. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes

  22. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes Good Practice Guidelines England & Wales History: 2003 - UK Cabinet Office sees issues with WFT 2009- GPG v1 issued 2010 – Angling & fisheries groups mount opposition

  23. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes History (continued): 2011- March: New Working Group established, involving Angling Trust and Salmon & Trout Assn 2011 - July: GPG public consultation launched 2012 - March: GPG v2 issued ?

  24. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes The regulator has the impossible task of finding the right balance. The Environment Agency can never please everybody …. ….but they can upset everybody! “Regulation needs to be: Consistent,Accountable, Proportionate, Targeted, Transparent.”

  25. HYDROPOWER Here to stay!

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