Hydroelectric power
We support hydroelectric schemes that are well designed and situated to avoid or mitigate impacts on Scotland’s nature and landscapes.
Hydroelectric power guidance
Hydroelectric schemes may affect Scotland’s nature and landscapes over a wide area.
The most important effects are on:
- sediment transport
- water quality and quantity
- water temperature
- morphological changes to running and standing waters
- species – chiefly migratory fish, mosses and liverworts, and freshwater pearl mussels
- landscape
- recreational use of rivers/burns
- wild land qualities
The design of a scheme can help to mitigate such impacts. Find out more in our guidance on Hydroelectric schemes and the natural heritage.
To avoid important moss and liverwort communities, check where they’re located using our hydroelectric development planning tool.
Early development planning stages
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has set out Guidance for developers of run-of-river hydropower schemes.
Developers should apply this guidance to see if a proposal is likely to get CAR authorisation from SEPA. If you believe it will, you should then contact us for advice on how to assess the scheme’s impacts on the natural heritage.
SEPA is most likely to support hydropower developments that can contribute significantly to Scotland’s renewable energy targets with minimal adverse impacts on the water environment.
Developers must also apply for planning permission from the relevant planning authority.
We strongly encourage pre-application discussions with developers, as talking to us early on in the planning phase lets us advise you on site design. Please contact the appropriate Area Office to discuss siting and design at the earliest opportunity.
Screening checklist for planners
Planning officers will find the Scottish Government’s sample screening checklist helpful when screening small-scale hydroelectric scheme proposals for the need for Environmental Impact Assessment.
The checklist should be used alongside:
- the specific planning authority policies and supplementary planning guidance for the area
- a constraints check
Developers may also wish to complete the checklist to submit with a pre-application enquiry.
More guidance
- Guidance for applicants on supporting information requirements for hydropower applications
- Guide to Hydro Construction Good Practice
- Constructed tracks in the Scottish Uplands – how the infrastructure required for developments has an impact on natural heritage interests
- Assessing the impacts of small scale hydroelectric schemes on rare bryophytes and lichens: NatureScot Commissioned Report No.421
- Bryological assessment for hydroelectric schemes in the West Highlands: NatureScot Commissioned Report No.449b
- CREW Sediment continuity through run-of-river hydropower scheme
- Good practice image guide for contractors
Review of our support for hydro developments
NatureScot and SEPA Board members first reviewed the work of both public bodies to support hydroelectricity developments in 2014. A follow-up review in 2015 looked at our progress in relation to the actions set out in the original review.
Download the review documents to supporting hydro-electricity development
Last updated:
Contact
Mike Shepherd
