5_Cryer

New Developments in Hydropower from Britain Hydropower Sector continues to develop Technology benefits hydropower worldwide Collaboration Government with Industry

Water Framework Directive A view of the way forward in the UNITED KINGDOM Steve Cryer ESHA Board Member Chairman BHA

UK HYDROPOWER SECTOR

Capacity: 1350 MW conventional The British Hydropower 2500 MW Association Pumped Storage Potential: 100 MW small 750 MW large ? MW micro

WFD and HYDROPOWER • The Operation and Development of Hydropower and the aims of the WFD are not mutually exclusive • Hydropower is a non-consumptive use of water • Hydropower only makes use of the Potential Energy of Water it returns all water to the aquatic environment

A WAY FORWARD the UK APPROACH • The UK government had set targets for RE of 10% by 2010 and 20% by 2020 • But restrictions in the consents process were causing long delays from conception to commissioning of projects • This was seen as a major barrier to meeting the commitments given in the KYOTO PROTOCOL

Regulatory Issues with Implementation of the WFD • Designation of Water Bodies – preventing the development of new schemes on rivers not designated Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWB)

• Derogations and the Cost Implications to Existing Operations – in pursuit of Good Ecological Potential (GEP)

The Purist Approach to Implementation of the WFD • Adopting this rigid approach could lead to reductions of :– up to 65% of small run of river hydro – 25% of larger schemes – 15% of reservoir storage plants

• Loss of 1GWh means additional emissions of 800tonnes CO2

A WAY FORWARD the UK APPROACH • It was recognised that there would be some conflict between the aims of the WFD and the need to increase renewable development, from hydropower, to reduce emissions to atmosphere. • The UK felt that the only way forward to meet the challenges of global climatic change and environmental protection was for the Hydropower Industry and the bodies tasked to protect the environment to work together

A WAY FORWARD the UK APPROACH • The BHA approached the Government Cabinet Office to request their assistance in dealing with what it saw as the obstacles, contained within the WFD, to hydropower achieving its targets towards combating climate change • After discussing the issues with both parties separately the Cabinet Office set up a joint Hydropower Industry Environment Agency Working Group(EAHWG) for England and Wales with similar groups for Scotland and shortly Northern Ireland.

A WAY FORWARD the UK APPROACH • The EAHWG would formulate the process by which hydropower licenses would be determined • It would produce a series of Good Practice Guides for applicants to follow that would allow the regulator to determine license applications in a reasonably short time period • Funding for the production of the guide has been provided by the UK Government, with additional funding for any research needed to be determined as the work progresses

Hydropower for a Renewable Future