Environment Agency identifies hydroelectric sites

A study by the Environment Agency has identified almost 26,000 sites where small-scale hydroelectric turbines could be installed.

The sites could generate enough electricity to power around 850,000 homes and produce 3% of the UK's 2020 renewable electricity needs.

However because of environmental concerns not all the sites can be exploited.

Around half the sites are in environmentally sensitive areas and would need fish-friendly measures such as screens to stop fish getting killed by turbines.

Hydropower 'hotspots' were identified in several areas, including the Rivers Severn, Thames, Aire and Neath.

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.”