Statement from the Chairman

It is often pointed out that the BHA has the unenviable task of trying to represent all the differing, and what are sometimes perceived as being divergent, aspects of the hydro industry in the UK and over the last 10 years this has been reflected in our chairmen who have either been consultants or representatives of large hydro or electricity supply or manufacturing companies.

 

As the owner and operator of two small low head hydro schemes, it is natural that I will wish to see that this sector is well represented, particularly with Government’s interest and encouragement for small hydro. This doesn’t mean that the other sectors will be forgotten as the welfare of all of us, manufacturer or operator, consultant or supplier, are inextricably bound together.

 

In this year as Chairman, there will be a focus on environmental regulation and particularly on the Environment Agency in regard to abstraction controls and fishery protection. There have been on-going issues regarding the agreement to “the good practice guide” with the EA and Department of Energy and Climate Change (previously DBERR) which now threaten the existence of us all, no matter whether you are large or small hydro. I hope that such a threat will encourage all hydro owners or potential owners to work together to remove this obstacle and help to achieve the utilisation of the hydro resource of over 1000MW that has recently been identified within the UK.

 

This Government is strong on talk but short on delivery as regards renewable energy. We hear a lot about the requirement for “sustainable development” and “the low carbon economy” and yet when sustainable development and a low carbon solution comes along in the form of hydropower, all we feel is the power of excessive environmental regulation. This needs to change as such regulation will strangle our business as well as any hope of Government achieving targets for renewable energy and CO2 reductions.

 

I can assure you that the BHA team will work hard to ensure that change does happen and to represent the interests of the whole of the hydro industry in the UK.

 

 

 

Andrew Frazer , BHA Chairman

SPONSORS: