Small Hydropower A new potential for Europe
The European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA) is a federation of European national hydropower associations as well as members from all sectors of the hydropower field, such as equipment manufacturers, public utilities, independent producers, research institutes, investors, industry and consultants. ESHA represents the interests of the (small) hydropower sector by promoting the benefits and opportunities of hydropower (a mature renewable energy technology) at EU level.
Contact & Info: European Small Hydropower Association Renewable Energy House Rue d’Arlon, 63-65 1040 Brussels (Belgium) www.esha.be - info@esha.be +32 2 400 10 67
Did you know? In general, small hydropower (SHP) stands for a plant with an installed capacity of up to 10 MW. SHP currently supplies enough electricity for 13 million households. SHP plays a key role in greenhouse gas emissions reduction through green energy production and support to other technologies (e.g. wind, solar). SHP is a very efficient decentralised electricity production technology. SHP is important for European economies and for regional development. SHP has a large potential for development and refurbishment of plants.
Recommendations More consensus and cooperation is needed in Europe between the energy and environmental policies and actors. European and national policy makers should consider SHP as an equally important component of the renewable energy mix. EU and national environmental policies must ensure the economic viability of the SHP sector.
Current challenges SHP and its potential for Europe is often overlooked and kept away from the European and national policy agendas. SHP can be negatively impacted by environmental legislation in Europe, so that it becomes more difficult to produce renewable energy from water. It is however a technology which can be used for water management purposes.
Fair support mechanisms should take into account the multipurpose features of hydropower and the growing costs arising from environmental obligations. Research funding should be increased to better exploit the energy potential of SHP and facilitate the operation of plants.
SHP faces many administrative barriers at national level, making it difficult for the sector to be granted or to keep exploitation licenses and to have an efficient access to the electricity grid.
Small Hydropower A new potential for Europe