Tensions between energy and the environment: reconciling energy needs with the water environment - hydropower

摘要

1. Significant opportunities have been identified for the expansion of small scale and micro-hydro schemes in the UK, as a means of meeting current UK renewable energy targets. 2. Most of these will be in Scotland (estimated 7000 potential schemes), with small schemes ＜0.5 MW more prominent in England. 3. If these are to be realised, one of the most significant challenges will be the processing of the amount of planning and permit applications. 4. The application processes can be complex and require specialist input; however; considerable assistance is provided by all agencies. 5. The approach taken in England and Wales is to improve the current ecological status of HMWB ('win-win' projects). It may be more difficult to obtain approval on 'good status' sites due to the 'better environmental options' test if the project is large and potentially fails to meet an environmental standard. 6. In Scotland, however nearly all hydropower schemes will result in a failure to meet environmental standards: This results in: 1.1 a large part of SEPA's assessment effort being placed on the exemption or derogation tests requiring an assessment of the social and economic impacts and benefits, including LVIA (landscape and visual impact assessement), recreational fishing and other water uses (eg canoeing). 1.2 SEPA also acting as the competent authority in terms of HRA/SACs for salmonid rivers, and cumulative impacts at the catchment level. 7. The derogation test requires significant input from the developer has specific assessment criteria and appears to be a de facto EIA, leading to a risk of duplication with the planning process.