David Williams British Hydropower Association Environment Protection Environment ProtectionRequirements for Small Hydro Schemes European Hydropower Summit Bucharest – 28 February 2012

Scope of Presentation: 1. UK Hydro – overview 2. “Environmental” opposition to hydropower 3. Creating a balance 4. Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes Environment Protection Requirements For Small Hydro Schemes Based on UK Experience

UK Hydro – overview History of hydro development To Mid 1800’s – Waterpower - Private

History of hydro development Mid 1800’s - Private UK Hydro – overview

History of hydro development 1940’s – Public - CEGB and NOSHEB UK Hydro – overview

History of hydro development From 1990’s - Private Refurbished New Micro UK Hydro – overview

Pumped Storage Pumped Storage Storage hydro Storage hydro Run of river hydro Run of river hydro Micro hydro Micro hydro Energy recovery from water supply and water Energy recovery from water supply and water treatment treatment Refurbishment/replacement and upgrade of old plant Refurbishment/replacement and upgrade of old plant Types of Hydro in UK UK Hydro – existing and potential

Conventional hydro – 1.5 GW Conventional hydro – 1.5 GW Pumped storage – 2.8 GW Pumped storage – 2.8 GW Present Hydro Capacity in UK UK Hydro – existing and potential

Potential England & Wales EA Hydro mapping study ,000 barriers 4,000 “win-win” hydro / fish pass ~ 600 MW DECC / WG study 250 MW 250 MW UK Hydro – existing and potential

PotentialScotland Scottish Government studies 2008 & schemes 1200 schemes 1200 MW 1200 MW UK Hydro – existing and potential

Potential new Hydro Capacity in UK UK Hydro – existing and potential Pumped Storage - 1 GW Pumped Storage - 1 GW Conventional Hydro Scotland 1200 MW Conventional Hydro Scotland 1200 MW England & Wales 250 MW England & Wales 250 MW N Ireland ~10 MW N Ireland ~10 MW Water supply and water treatment~40 MW Water supply and water treatment~40 MW TOTAL new potential 2.5 GW of which conventional hydro is 1.5 GW of which conventional hydro is 1.5 GW Doubling existing conventional hydro capacity Doubling existing conventional hydro capacity

Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Feed-in Tariff (FiT) FiT Review 2012 FiT Review 2012 Renewables Incentives: Renewable Obligation (RO) Renewable Obligation (RO) ROC Banding Review 2011 ROC Banding Review 2011 UK Hydro – overview

Four Countries

Legal arm – “Fish Legal” Campaign organisation Campaign organisation Widely quoted Widely quoted “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower 4 Campaigns against hydropower in 2011 Only aims – Only aims – Protect Fish Stocks Protect Fish Stocks Increase number of anglers Increase number of anglers “fishing for fun & in competitions” “fishing for fun & in competitions”

Destroys fish habitat Has a cumulative impact Has a cumulative impact throughout a river system throughout a river system Inhibits movement of fish Inhibits movement of fish “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower Kills Fish Kills Fish

Little addition to UK electricity production electricity production Massive returns Massive returns Poor regulation Poor regulation “Environmental” Opposition to Hydropower

“The EA is licencing hundreds of schemes without knowing what the impact is. In Europe, they’re busily tearing out ugly fish- mincing machines they put in 10 years ago, having realised the error of their ways. If hydropower were generating 30% of energy requirements, we would be more accommodating, but the reality is you could just switch off a few lights and achieve the same effect” “The EA is licencing hundreds of schemes without knowing what the impact is. In Europe, they’re busily tearing out ugly fish- mincing machines they put in 10 years ago, having realised the error of their ways. If hydropower were generating 30% of energy requirements, we would be more accommodating, but the reality is you could just switch off a few lights and achieve the same effect” Angling Trust Angling Trust EMOTIVE ! INACURATE ! UNBALACED ! DESTRUCTIVE !

Fish Protection: Fish Protection: Fish Passes Fish Passes Fish screening Fish screening Eel regulations Eel regulations Flood risk Flood risk Available Flow Available Flow Creating a balance Hydropower Environmental Impact Hydropower Environmental Impact Other ecology protection Other ecology protection

Increased numbers of applications Increased numbers of applications Local views Local views Inconsistency in consenting process Inconsistency in consenting process Regulatory problems Regulatory problems Hydropower Environmental Impact Hydropower Environmental Impact Creating a balance

Renewable energy source – carbon savings Renewable energy source – carbon savings National targets National targets Security of supply Security of supply Long lasting Long lasting Developed technology Developed technology Highest energy payback ratio Highest energy payback ratio Etc,etc……… Etc,etc……… Hydropower Benefits Hydropower Benefits Creating a balance

Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes

Good Practice Guidelines England & Wales History: History: UK Cabinet Office sees issues with WFT GPG v1 issued 2010 – Angling & fisheries groups mount opposition

Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes History (continued): History (continued): March: New Working Group established, involving Angling Trust and Salmon & Trout Assn July: GPG public consultation launched March : GPG v2 issued ?

Environmental Guidance for Hydro Schemes The regulator has the impossible task of finding the right balance. The Environment Agency can never please everybody …. ….but they can upset everybody! “Regulation needs to be: Consistent, Accountable, Proportionate, Targeted, Proportionate, Targeted, Transparent.” Transparent.”

HYDROPOWER Here to stay!