Press Release

Dulas Advises On Planning Changes To Power Welsh Hydro Sector In New Government Report

Leading renewable energy consultancy assesses the likely impact of permitted development rights on Welsh hydro-electric sector

Machynlleth, 27 June 2018 – Dulas, a leading renewable energy consultancy, has completed research on behalf of the Welsh Government into the impact of potential changes to permitted development rights for small-scale hydro-electric projects in Wales. The research, recently published as part of a consultation document from the Welsh Government, sets out a series of recommendations for introducing greater flexibility with regard to planning and water abstraction for hydro schemes, while mitigating the impact on the natural environment.

Wales possesses considerable land-based water resources, and hydro-electric power has the potential to make a significant contribution to a more sustainable energy mix. This is reflected in the country’s ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, with the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources set to rise from 32% in 2016 to 70% by 2030.

However, following reductions to Feed-in Tariff support, the Welsh Government identified the absence of permitted development rights, which allow asset owners to carry out improvements or extensions without having to apply for planning permission, and the current licensing process for groundwater abstraction, as further obstacles to the wider deployment of hydro-electric schemes across Wales.

With significant consultancy and installation experience across Welsh renewables, Dulas was appointed by the Welsh Government in June 2017 to assess the potential impact of changes to permitted development rights on the country’s hydro sector. Through extensive field research and stakeholder consultations with industry, local authorities and regulators, Dulas formulated a series of recommendations on the applicability of permitted developing rights to small-scale, low-risk hydro projects in Wales, as well as developing best practice guidance for the sector.

The study focused on schemes of up to 100kW that were identified as low-risk to the environment on the basis of site characteristics and flow requirements, rather than capacity, as these in turn influence various aspects of construction including the size of the intake structure and pipeline.

Based on its research, Dulas advised on three potential options for easing the planning requirements for small-scale hydro schemes. These ranged from leaving planning regulations as they currently stand but simplified through the adoption of good practice guidance, to introducing permitted developing rights for schemes up to a maximum capacity or on the basis of other planning aspects including topographical, ecological, and archaeological factors.

“The potential contribution of hydro power to Wales’ energy mix is clear, but, to date, the roll-out of small-scale hydro has been hindered by the need to secure planning permission and other licenses, which are often seen as an additional cost burden and present serious barriers to new schemes that may otherwise have real potential,” said Michael Phillips, Principal Consultant at Dulas.

“The research carried out by our team of expert engineers and consultants will allow the Welsh Government to gauge the extent to which permitted development rights would bolster the Welsh hydro sector, allowing landowners to more easily incorporate small-scale hydro schemes and boosting the proportion of electricity derived from hydro across the country.”

The final report has been published on the Welsh Government website and is available here. Michael Phillips will be presenting Dulas’ findings and their implications for the Welsh hydro industry at the upcoming BHA Hydro Network conference, taking place on 28 June in Llandrindod Wells.

About Dulas

With over 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, Dulas is an award-winning renewable energy installer and consultancy, specialising in the wind, solar and hydro sectors.

Since 1982 Dulas has been at the forefront of renewables innovation, helping to plan and install some of the very first UK renewable energy systems. To date, the firm’s engineers, planners and consultants have worked on over 400MW of renewables projects across the UK, offering a complete package of development services to utility, commercial, community and landowner renewable energy schemes.

Working on thousands of projects internationally, Dulas has provided innovative solutions to energy problems in a range of markets across Africa, Asia and South America.

For more information, please visit: http://www.dulas.org.uk