Environmental effects of hydropower schemes

The author reviews the position of hydroelectric power schemes in the UK in the early 1990s. He considers recently constructed and proposed schemes, rather than those built more than 30-40 years ago during the period when this source was being heavily developed. The planning regime for these newer schemes is explained, and the measures typically taken to ensure that projects achieve their environmental targets are outlined. It is concluded that hydropower may be developed satisfactorily according to all design criteria if normal safeguards are taken, and that the cost implications of these are usually acceptable.