ENERGY AND WATER Experiences with recommendations (1). Large hydropower: Some states have done assessment of hydropower potential as part of (or parallel to) RBM planning, weighing nature protection against renewable energy needs, and listing potential sites for acceptable new power projects, and sites where no hydropower can be built. Some states have no or insignificant potential for new large hydropower, and the focus concerning large hydropower is now limited to modernisation and upgrading. There might be a 3-5% potential for increased production. ENERGY AND WATER

ENERGY AND WATER Experiences with recommendations (2). Large hydropower: A few states still have a significant hydropower potential, but indicate that all new projects must meet high standards for environmental impact assessment and environmental flow that ensures ecological continuum. It is often a very political issue. Many states experience a large challenge with old hydropower projects that do not secure environmental flow and ecological continuum. Some states are experiencing legal and financial difficulties in changing permits/licenses on the older hydropower. One state has changed its legislation, ending all existing permits in 2012 to be able to revise them. ENERGY AND WATER

ENERGY AND WATER Experiences with recommendations (3). Small hydropower: Many states are experiencing an increased interest in small hydropower, but also concerns about the environmental impact and the fact that the contribution to national energy supply is insignificant. Measures to ensure ecological continuum: Minimum environmental flow requirement (assessed in each case, or flat demand for 1/10 of natural flow). Fish passes. Hydro peaking is seen as a challenge to the ecology. ENERGY AND WATER

2. What are your experiences with the implementation of WFD Aricle 4.7? Some states indicate they have successfully applied art 4.7 as part of the RBM planning, and that the guidance documents are helpful. Some states have not had any new projects, and no need to apply art 4.7. Some states indicate they have experienced difficulties in applying the art. 4.7 requirements. Question: Does the WFD secure equal (comparable) requirements for hydropower in all of Europe (fair competition)? COM: The WFD does not secure a level playing field, but an incentive to locate hydropower where it does the least damage, and where compensation measures will be cheaper. ENERGY AND WATER

3. How are the benefits of water protection weighed against benefits of projects for CO2 reduction? There is a growing interest in the use of hydropower peaking in combination with increased use of windpower as a renewable energy source. A few states are experiencing that the reopening of protected rivers for new hydropower development is becoming an issue. Other means that can reduce the demand for more hydropower: increased energy efficiency, nuclear power, bio fuels, geothermal power, wind power. Many states see a conflict between the renewable energy targets and the WFD. COM: hydropower must be compatible with ecological continuum (fish migration). ENERGY AND WATER

ENERGY AND WATER Proposal for a 2010 workshop on Energy and water. (Wider scope than just hydro morphology). Proposed issues: 1. Energy and water challenges: ecological continuum vs. renewable energy. geothermal energy vs. ground water protection other measures like energy efficiency 2. Large hydropower 3. Small hydropower 4. Experiences in applying art 4.7 ENERGY AND WATER