1,000 new hydro schemes to power Scottish homes

SCOTLAND is set to enter a new era of hydro power after an influential report revealed untapped potential for more than 1,000 new schemes across the country, The Scotsman can reveal.

The study, commissioned by the Scottish Government, reveals enough extra hydro potential to power a quarter of the nation's homes.

It shows there are still 657 megawatts of financially viable hydro electricity schemes to exploit, which would power about 600,000 homes.

This is about half as much as the 1,379 megawatts of installed hydro capacity that already exists in Scotland.

The Scottish Government, which aims to provide 50 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2050 and has rejected the use of nuclear power, said hydro would play a crucial part in meeting the target.

Hydro already provides about 6 per cent of Scotland's electricity – more than any other renewable source – and will be crucial in the Scottish Government's aims to make us the leading green energy country in Europe.

However, there is concern among salmon anglers about the impact on rivers, and environmental groups have urged caution when developing new schemes, especially in beauty spots.

A Scottish Government spokesman said hydro power had a growing role to play in how Scotland would meet its energy needs.

"We have ambitions to make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe and hydro is a huge part of our diverse renewables potential," he said.

"New hydro power can reduce emissions, tackle climate change and contribute to sustainable economic growth."

Scotland was one of the first countries in the world where electricity was harnessed from water, and huge hydro schemes were built in the middle of the 20th century.

However, it had been assumed the limit had been reached, with industry leaders saying there were few sites left for major projects.

Now, the new report by the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland suggests there is considerable untapped potential, using schemes smaller than 10 megawatts in size. These could be developed on a community basis by farmers or small landowners.

The report shows the potential for new hydro schemes in each area of Scotland.

Whereas Edinburgh would not be able to support any financially viable schemes, the north-west Highlands has potential for up to 64, it says.

Rob Forrest, of the green trade body Scottish Renewables, said hurdles had to be overcome before the potential could be delivered.

"This study reveals a new chapter waiting to unfold for hydro power in Scotland. However, there are considerable challenges being faced that rival those felt by hydro developers from the last century," he said.

He said these included strict EU regulations and costly access to the transmission grid.

"Crucial to delivery of this hydro vision will be the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, who hold the key to redesigning regulations to help deliver sustainable hydro power developments rather than blocking them," he said.

Nick Forrest, director of Nick Forrest Associates, the consultancy behind the report, agreed there were several barriers to the potential 657 megawatts of hydro power being achieved.

One was the planning system, which he thought should be altered so local planning authorities could deal with more applications.

If a project is larger than one megawatt, it has to be considered by the Scottish Government rather than the local authority.

"That has a huge time implication and would usually involve a lot more work," he said. "If they raised the threshold so it was only above 10 megawatts, it could be a lot more attractive to developers."

And he said there needed to be greater capacity in the national grid. Currently, 33 per cent of the new schemes would not be able to be built because of lack of capacity.

"If we ever want to see this potential realised, there's going to have to be a change in the way the grid is upgraded," he said.

"At the moment, there's no extra capacity being built into the grid. There are areas in the Highlands where there's all the mountains and the rainfall you need but the grid is full."

But Dan Barlow, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said there must not be any move to try to weaken EU regulations, such as the Water Framework Directive, which protects rivers.

"We support the role that hydro plays in meeting renewable energy targets and tackling climate change.

"However, it's important that any proposals that come forward are compatible with European obligations to meet ecological aims in terms of our water environment."

Helen McDade, policy officer from the John Muir Trust, said planning laws must not be relaxed. "Environmental protection has been put in place for a reason. It would be very unwise to suggest that could be relaxed."

Ten sites now seeking permission

Allt Fionn, Glen Falloch, Loch Lomond, 2.1 MW. Applicant: Glen Falloch Estate. At consultation.

Allt Hallater, between Loch Awe and Loch Etive, 1.9MW. Applicant: Npower. Suspended.

Black Rock Gorge, on edge of Evanton Wood, Ross-shire, 3MW. Applicant: Npower. Recently submitted.

Chaoroch, by Loch Lomond, 2.5MW. Applicant: SSE. At consultation.

Chonais, Wester Ross, 3.5MW. Applicant: SSE. At consultation.

Invervar, Glen Lyon, Perthshire, 1.2MW. Applicant: Shawater. At consultation.

Keltneyburn, Coshieville, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, 2.2MW. Applicant: Keltneyburn Hydro Ltd. At consultation.

Loch Eilde, above Kinlochleven, Lochaber, 7MW. Applicant: Hydroplan. Suspended.

Rannoch, 1.5MW. Applicant: Hydroplan. At consultation.

River Braan, near Dunkeld, Perthshire, 2.9MW. Applicant: NPower. Suspended.

Q & A

What is a hydro scheme?

A system for extracting energy from water as it moves. This usually involves the water dropping from one elevation to another.

An underground sloping pipe is often used, so that water is restricted and builds up in pressure. This can be used to drive a turbine wheel.

In flatter areas, where there is less pressure build-up or no pipe at all, much larger flows are required, and so larger turbines are used.

What are the benefits of hydro power?

It is a form of green energy that can complement other renewables, such as onshore wind, by providing backup when needed.

It can be stored and then drawn upon when there is a need for more electricity, such as in winter.

It does not provide a constant supply, as the system's efficiency will fluctuate throughout the year with the flow of the water.

Would all the new schemes involve dams?

No, only 128 of the 1,019 potential new schemes would be expected to involve the use of a dam. Most would use a weir – which slightly raises the level of the river and creates a small, waterfall-type effect. It would channel some of the water into an underground pipe, which would build up to power a small turbine.

How does the electricity get to my house?

The hydro scheme has to be connected to the national grid. Distance from the grid may be the deciding factor of whether a scheme is viable. And there must be enough capacity in the grid for a new scheme to connect.

What happens next?

The Scottish Government is expected to examine the findings of the report as it forms its energy strategy.

Anglers' concern over impact on salmon

THE strongest opposition to the new development of hydro projects is likely to come from the salmon-fishing sector.

Ron Woods, from the Scottish Federation of Coarse Anglers, said there would be a "great deal of concern" among salmon anglers to the idea that more than 1,000 new hydro schemes could be built.

He said this was due to the behaviour of salmon. "The life cycle of salmon involves them ascending the river from the mouth to quite high up in the river to spawn," he said. "Anything that blocks the flow of water and the migration has a big impact for salmon.

"There's a legal requirement that if anyone builds a barricade across a river by which salmon migrate to spawn, they need to provide a passage for them to ascend the river."

He said there were other aspects of hydro schemes that concerned salmon anglers.

"If you put a dam on a river, then the area immediately above it becomes effectively still water," he said.

"That's not a habitat where salmon are comfortable. They like a high oxygen content in the river, which means it needs to be flowing."

Nick Forrest, the report's author, agreed there was likely to be opposition from members of the fishing industry, but he said he thought they could be brought onside.

"They might want salmon to reach a new part of the river," he said. "A salmon ladder can be built into a weir, so they can get to a part that wasn't previously possible.

"There's no reason why hydro shouldn't be safe for fish."

Anglers' concern over impact on salmon

THE strongest opposition to the new development of hydro projects is likely to come from the salmon-fishing sector.

Ron Woods, from the Scottish Federation of Coarse Anglers, said there would be a "great deal of concern" among salmon anglers to the idea that more than 1,000 new hydro schemes could be built.

He said this was due to the behaviour of salmon. "The life cycle of salmon involves them ascending the river from the mouth to quite high up in the river to spawn," he said. "Anything that blocks the flow of water and the migration has a big impact for salmon.

"There's a legal requirement that if anyone builds a barricade across a river by which salmon migrate to spawn, they need to provide a passage for them to ascend the river."

He said there were other aspects of hydro schemes that concerned salmon anglers.

"If you put a dam on a river, then the area immediately above it becomes effectively still water," he said.

"That's not a habitat where salmon are comfortable. They like a high oxygen content in the river, which means it needs to be flowing."

Nick Forrest, the report's author, agreed there was likely to be opposition from members of the fishing industry, but he said he thought they could be brought onside.

"They might want salmon to reach a new part of the river," he said. "A salmon ladder can be built into a weir, so they can get to a part that wasn't previously possible.

"There's no reason why hydro shouldn't be safe for fish."