Developing European Small Hydro To Its Full Economicpotential

摘要

The current political and economic environment that the EU is facing at present is affecting the develop- ment of the energy sector in a very positive way for RES in general and SHP in particular. This new environment will allow for the development of the remaining economic SHP potential in the EU.rnThe general feeling that the sector has already been fully exploited, and the disappointing growth rates of recent years are soon likely to be overcome, thanks to a renewed interest in renewable energy sources. SHP is facing changes and challenges, but in the coming years will see an important boom and increasing interest.rnThis positive outlook for the sector results mainly from the implementation of the EU Directive promoting RES, together with other measures concerning CO_2 emissions and climate change contemplated within the new Energy Package.rnThe economic potential of SHP plants in Europe, which depends largely on their financial viability, is being realized as a result of a growing interest being shown by a new group of investors moving to the sector as a result of the current financial and economic circumstances in the EU, together with a growing political interest in developing RES. Fig. 9 shows the current view of the future potential for SHP.