Scotland's Hydro Electric Power Resource Study – Increasing the Flow
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
by
Martin Sales
A Report on the potential for further development of hydropower in Scotland has concluded that there is significant potential to increase Scotland’s generation of electricity by means of hydropower. However, it also states that existing planning, environmental and grid constraints will serve to inhibit the full realisation of that potential.
The Report is the product of a study commissioned by the Scottish Government through the Hydro Sub Group of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development and its conclusion is consistent with the Scottish Government’s target that 50% of demand for Scottish electricity be supplied from renewable sources by 2020.
Constraints on the development of hydropower are identified in the Report as including: sites designated for their natural heritage; ability to connect to the National Grid (cost and capacity) and inefficiencies in the Planning process as it relates to hydropower. Increased regulation of the water environment in recent years also means that regulatory reform may be required in order to facilitate additional hydro developments. Opposition to such developments is expected to come from a number of groups, including salmon anglers and environmentalists concerned about impacts on flora and fauna.
Presently, any proposed hydro development with an installed capacity of more than 1 megawatt is subject to consent from the Scottish Government rather than the Local Authority and it has been suggested that raising that threshold might encourage prospective small-scale developers further. The Report recommends that aspects of the hydro planning process that give rise to “unnecessary delays and restrictions, particularly where the impacts are weaker and defensible with simple mitigation measures” be studied in further detail.
Should you have any queries on the Report, or if you have a query relating to the current regime, please contact Martin Sales for an initial discussion and indication of whether fuller advice might be appropriate on (msales@biggartbaillie.co.uk or 0131 226 5541).
The information contained in this article is given for general information only, reflects the current law on the date of this article, and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter