Chairman's Statement

Hydro is sometimes seen as ‘old fashioned’, I agree the principle is well established, most of the first UK public electricity supplies were hydro powered back in the 1880’s. Nowadays, modern technology has a large part to play in the production of hydro plant and its control systems. World wide, hydro is the largest producer of renewable energy and here in the UK hydro has a valuable contribution to make in clean energy production.

The BHA works hard to serve the diverse interests of its members, those with an academic interest, small and large traditional and pumped storage hydro generators, suppliers of goods & services to home and abroad, and of late some parts of the tidal energy interests. We work through our small but hardworking permanent staff and through the efforts of our targeted ‘Work Groups’ (thank you gentlemen), overseen by the BHA Council.

We look forward to building on our successes, there are many areas to work on as you can read in the CEO’s statement. Particular current issues include:

·                     Lobbying for a fair rating valuation system

·                     Influencing the future fish passage legislation

·                     Lobbying to maintain the current hydro FIT rates

·                     Addressing regional-specific issues and building common ground .

·                     Encouraging new areas of business

All in all, we believe that hydro has a rosy future, after all it is the most efficient, predictable unobtrusive, low impact and long lasting renewable technology available. If you have an interest in hydro, do join us – there is strength in numbers!

I am pleased to have been asked to the role of BHA chairman and will endeavour to play my part well.

Jon Needle

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