The Environment Agency has improved the way it handles applications for hydropower schemes.

The move follows a six-fold increase in the number of hydropower applications in England and Wales since 2008. In 2010 the Environment Agency granted licences for 65 schemes – a quarter of these (16) were in the south west. This compares with only 10 schemes in the whole of England and Wales in 2008.

The Government has introduced incentives to encourage people to produce electricity from renewable sources. To help communities, developers and individuals take advantage of these incentives, the Environment Agency has streamlined the application process.

Although simpler, the new process retains the same safeguards and level of environmental protection as before and only well-designed and sustainable schemes will be approved.

Poorly-designed hydropower schemes can have serious impacts on the environment, including changing river flows, which in turn can affect fish migration. Downstream habitats can also be adversely affected and flood risk increased.

The Environment Agency has been working with industry, anglers and landowners on ways to improve the existing permitting process. More straightforward application forms have been  prepared and teams of officers available to provide early advice to help applicants produce well-designed schemes.

‘Hydropower is a reliable and proven technology and 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,’ said Richard Cresswell,

‘The Environment Agency is committed to getting the regulatory balance right – supporting the development of sustainable renewable energy by making it as easy as possible for organisations to apply for hydropower permits whilst ensuring that the environment is protected,’ he said. Successful local sites include the River Dart Country Park near Ashburton. The scheme uses an Archimedes Screw design that allows fish and eels to pass through without harm. In the period  April 2007 to May 2010 the River Dart Country Park scheme generated 985,000 KWh of electricity worth more than £95,000 and saved 650 tonnes of carbon. Since it was installed, the Park has been self-sufficient in electricity for nine months of the year.

Renewable energy is also being generated on the River Tavy where South West Water has two hydropower plants at Mary Tavy and Morwellham Quay. The company has spent more than £1 million constructing a fish pass, lowering a weir in Tavistock and installing screens to hydropower intakes to prevent young salmon and sea trout from being harmed. The National Trust is also about to launch a hydropower scheme at Cotehele House where it is harnessing the energy of a tributary of the River Tamar.

With around 350 hydropower schemes currently licensed by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, it estimates this number could rise to around 1,200 by 2020. – Ends – Notes to Editor:

• The current UK target is to produce 15 per cent of energy from renewables by 2020 – a target that is likely to require at least 30 per cent renewable electricity production.  The Committee on Climate Change has recommended the UK almost fully decarbonises its electricity supply by 2030. The new coalition government has signalled a desire to go even further with renewables. Hydropower has a small but significant role to play in achieving this goal.

• The simplifications to the application process follow an Environment Agency review, a report of which can be found on the EA website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/hydropower

• Hydropower facilities can have an impact on the aquatic environment, fisheries and fish migration.  However, a sustainable hydropower scheme builds environmental protection into its location and design.  Key features include: – A fish friendly turbine and/or adequate screening of the turbine – Safe passage for fish where appropriate – Sufficient flow to maintain ecology and the fishery – Design that avoids impairing flood management or adversely affecting land drainage.