Environment Agency project uncovers hydropower opportunities in Wales

A new map which shows where hydropower could be deployed in Wales could help to tap into the unused power potential of our rivers.

The hydropower opportunities and environmental sensitivities map for Wales and England, commissioned by the Environment Agency, found almost 26,000 locations where a hydropower turbine could theoretically generate green electricity. Together, these sites could generate enough electricity to power up to around 850,000 homes and produce 3% of the UK’s 2020 renewable electricity needs.

In reality, however, only some of these sites could be exploited due to environmental sensitivities, as well as practical constraints such as access to the electricity network.
The new maps help to identify areas where hydropower could make a positive contribution to the local environment, and sites where it is less appropriate.

The report found that a sensitively designed hydropower scheme that includes a fish pass could improve the local environment as well as generate electricity in around 4,000 sites.

A recent example is the Osbaston Weir scheme on the river Monnow in Monmouthshire. The new fish pass has opened up approximately 200km of river to allow fish, including the Wye salmon, to enter and spawn in the Monnow again for the first time in 300 years. The scheme generates around 670,000 KwH electricity per year or enough to power 152 homes.

With government soon to offer subsidies of up to 20p for every kilowatt hour of electricity produced, a medium-sized scheme that typically generates enough electricity for about 32 homes, could receive around £25,000 a year. Average set up costs range from £100,000 to £150,000. But, the Environment Agency stressed, only schemes that were well designed and had no negative impacts on the river wildlife or the local environment would get the go ahead.

Tony Grayling, Head of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the Environment Agency said: “Some hydropower schemes have the potential to deliver low carbon electricity and improve the local environment for wildlife, for example by improving fish migration. But there will inevitably be some sites where the risk to the environment outweighs the benefits of power generation.

“With Government’s new feed-in tariff for renewably generated electricity, hydropower could become an attractive income generator for hydropower developers, if environmental safeguards are met.
“The report recommends that fish-friendly design needs to be incorporated in all schemes, and that grants for fish passes could help to unlock the potential of small scale hydropower in England and Wales.”

Environment Minister Jane Davidson said:

"I welcome this report which will help raise interest in the development of hydropower and hope it will spur industry to come forward with plans to increase the amount of energy generated from this renewable resource.

"Later this month I will be launching Wales' Low Carbon Energy Policy Statement to help us maximise the opportunities for generating energy from renewable sources.

"I am also actively supporting community investment in renewables and in January announced over £15 million of funding to help Welsh community organisations invest in technology to generate clean, renewable energy. I call on communities across Wales to have a close look at this report to see where hydropower might provide sustainable local benefits.”

The full report Opportunity and environmental sensitivity mapping in England and Wales and the interactive hydropower map are available to download at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/32022.aspx

For more information on hydropower schemes contact the Environment Agency’s customer services line on 08708 506 506. To contact the press office call Rachael Mullins on 029 2046 6026 or email rachael.mullins@environment-agency.gov.uk