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The hydropower opportunities and environmental sensitivities map, commissioned by the Environment Agency, found almost 26,000 locations where a hydropower turbine could theoretically generate green electricity. Together, these sites could generate enough electricity to power up to around 850,000 homes and produce 3% of the country’s 2020 renewable electricity needs.  In reality, however, only some of these sites could be exploited due to environmental sensitivities, as well as practical constraints such as access to the electricity network.

The new maps help to identify areas where hydropower could make a positive contribution to the local environment, and sites where it is less appropriate.

The report found that a sensitively designed hydropower scheme that includes a fish pass could improve the local environment as well as generate electricity in over 4,000 sites. These win-win opportunities are particularly concentrated on rivers such as the Severn, Thames, Aire and Neath.

With government soon to offer subsidies of up to 20p for every kilowatt hour of electricity produced, a medium-sized scheme that typically generates enough electricity for about 32 homes, could receive around £25,000 a year. Average set up costs range from £100,000 to £150,000. But, the Environment Agency stressed, a only schemes that were well designed and had no negative impacts on the river wildlife or the local environment would get the go ahead.

Tony Grayling, Head of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the Environment Agency said:

“Some hydropower schemes have the potential to deliver low carbon electricity and improve the local environment for wildlife, for example by improving fish migration. But there will inevitably be some sites where the risk to the environment outweighs the benefits of power generation.

“With Government’s new feed-in tariff for renewably generated electricity, hydropower could become an attractive income generator for hydropower developers, if environmental safeguards are met.

“The report recommends that fish-friendly design needs to be incorporated in all schemes, and that grants for fish passes could help to unlock the potential of small scale hydropower in England and Wales.”

The Environment Agency report  Opportunity and environmental sensitivity mapping in England and Wales was commissioned to identify the opportunities for small scale hydropower schemes on the rivers of England and Wales alongside the environmental sensitivities associated with their exploitation.

The report found:

• A total of 25,935 small scale hydropower opportunities.
• Over 4000 win-win opportunities, where a hydropower scheme with a fish pass could deliver an improvement in the local environment as well as renewable electricity.
• Small scale hydropower at the sites identified could in theory generate up to 3660GWh electricity per year, or about 1 per cent of the country’s predicted 2020 electricity demand. The real potential is significantly less due to environmental and practical constraints.
• Hydropower hotspots, where win-win opportunities exist on the same river or close by were identified in several areas, including the Rivers Severn, Thames, Aire and Neath.
• Around half the sites identified were deemed to be highly environmentally sensitive for hydropower due to impacts on river ecology. Extra fish-friendly measures would be required in these locations.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State for Energy said:

“Small scale hydropower is potentially one of the most cost-effective means of producing clean, green and home grown renewable electricity.

“It is clear that recent advances in technology, reduced equipment costs and financial incentives like the new feed-in tariffs will provide further opportunities for communities to harness the power of our rivers and streams.”

An interactive map is available to view on the Environment Agency website, and lists the number of hydropower opportunities in each region, as well as the total power potential and the environmental sensitivities to be considered.

The full report Opportunity and environmental sensitivity mapping in England and Wales, and the interactive hydropower maps are available to download at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/32022.aspx

Media enquiries: 020 7863 8710 or outside normal office hours on 07798 882 092

Notes to Editors

• If you would like a version of the interactive maps to use on your own website, please contact the press office.
• Images and video of working hydropower schemes are available from the press office.
• Good practice guidance for hydropower, published by the Environment Agency last year, gives useful advice to help developers comply with environmental legislation first time, to make it quicker and easier for public sector organisations, businesses, developers and homeowners to get approval for a hydropower scheme.
• The Environment Agency is currently conducting a review of its hydropower permitting system to see how it can be made more efficient whilst maintaining a high standard of environmental protection. This review follows a commitment made by Government last summer. The Environment Agency will consult publicly on its proposals in Spring 2010.
• The Environment Agency is keen to see the swift deployment of all renewable energy technologies to help meet Government’s renewable energy and carbon reduction targets, while maintaining a high level of environmental protection.

 
Quote from David Williams, Chief Executive of the British Hydropower Association (BHA):

“The Opportunity and environmental sensitivity mapping report shows the Environment Agency’s commitment to developing renewable energy whilst protecting the environment. The BHA welcomes this stance and looks forward to helping with the development of hydropower at all suitable sites and in conjunction with the installation of fish passes where evidence shows they are necessary.”  

Quote from Paul Knight, Chief Executive of the Salmon and Trout Association:

"We welcome this report as a first step towards a sustainable, consistent approach to handling hydropower applications on an overall catchment basis, which must now be integrated into whole river system management plans. Looking at hydropower applications in isolation is no longer sustainable.  Poorly designed hydropower systems can cause damage to the river environment and its dependent species, so we are pleased to see that the report recommends that fish passes are used as a matter of course in all new hydropower installations.  With the right design and placement there could be opportunity for a win/win situation - where a barrier to fish migration is removed and power is generated"