Application process

To determine an application, SEPA has to assess the effects of the proposal on the water environment and on the interests of those who use it. The type of information SEPA will require varies with the scale of the potential environmental risks and impacts of the proposal. Applicants must provide the information SEPA reasonably requires to carry out such risk assessments, and the best way of making sure you provide the information is to get in touch with the relevant SEPA office well in advance of submitting your application. SEPA is happy to provide advice at the initial scoping stage of any proposed development.

The potential effects of other parts of a scheme are considered under other control regimes. These typically include the construction of turbine houses and connections to power lines. These will be considered through the planning process, though where these have the potential to impact the water environment or other water users, SEPA may be involved.

Forms
Applications for abstractions, impounding works and for any engineering works directly associated with intake structures or tailrace outfalls should be made using a single application form. The application should include any temporary works undertaken during the construction phase (eg temporary channel diversions).

Separate application forms should be completed for any engineering works that are not associated with intake or outfall structures, for example, pipeline crossings or bank protection works.

Application forms and guidance on how to fill them in is available to download

Application fees
Summary information on the application fees that must accompany applications is provided below. Where applicable, an annual subsistence fee will be payable to SEPA once a licence has been granted. Full details of the charging scheme can be found on the Water Regulation section of our website.

Table 1: Structure of application fees and subsistence charges for hydropower schemes

Installed capacity	≤100kW	>100kW
Application fee	A simple licence fee for all abstractions and impounding works	Normal application fees
Installed capacity	≤2 MW	>2 - <5MW	≥5 MW
Subsistence fee	Exempt	One flat rate for all abstractions and one for all impounding works storing >25 megalitres	Normal subsistence fees

Installed capacity

≤100kW

>100kW

Application fee

A simple licence fee for all abstractions and impounding works

Normal application fees

Installed capacity

≤2 MW

>2 - <5MW

≥5 MW

Subsistence fee

Exempt

One flat rate for all abstractions and one for all impounding works storing >25 megalitres

Normal subsistence fees

Application determination process
The flow chart below outlines the main steps involved in determining a licence application.

Application determination process flow chart (30kb)

Timescales
SEPA is required to determine licence applications within four months. This excludes the period allowed for advertising the application and any time taken by an applicant or third parties to respond to requests for further information made by SEPA, following receipt of the application. The four-month period may be extended by written agreement with the applicant.

Due to the complex nature of hydropower developments, we recommend developers discuss their application with SEPA prior to submitting it; then we can advise them of any supplementary information they may need to provide.

Advertisement
Once the applicant has submitted their proposal, they will normally be required to advertise it via an appropriate vehicle (eg newspaper). SEPA will advise the applicant of this after reviewing the application.

Further information
More information on SEPA’s position statements, regulatory methods and guidance that apply to abstraction and impoundment regimes is available under the Water Regulation section of the website.