Regulation
The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 is
the enabling act for the European Water Framework Directive, which
introduced a new integrated approach to the protection, improvement
and sustainable use of the water environment. The Water Environment
(Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (CAR) (now
superseded by The Water Environment (Controlled Activities)
(Scotland) Regulations 2011) introduced controls on
previously unregulated activities, including water abstractions and
impoundments, which is of significant relevance to hydropower
developments.
All hydropower developments require a Controlled Activities
Regulation (CAR) authorisation for abstractions, impounding works
(weirs and dams) and any other engineering works associated with
the scheme.
Applications for Improvements for the first
River Basin Plan
In order to make improvements to
the water environment as required under the Water Framework
Directive (2000/60/EC), Scottish and Southern Energy have applied
to SEPA to vary licences under the Water Environment
(Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 for the
following schemes:
- Tummel Hydropower Scheme (CAR/L/1011485). Full details and
supporting information can be found at the SEPA registry in Perth. The applicant's
environmental statement relating to this application can be found
here
(23.4mb). The summary of proposed changes to the licence is
available here
(87kb).
- Conon Hydro scheme, Garve, Ross-shire (CAR/L/1011464).
Full details and supporting information can be found at the
SEPA registry in Dingwall. The
applicant's environmental statement relating to this application
can be found here
(2.7mb).
- Ness Hydro Scheme, Glenmoriston, Inverness-shire
(CAR/L/1011471). Full details and supporting information
can be found at the SEPA registry in
Dingwall. The applicant's environmental statement relating to
this application can be found here
(9.0mb).
The applications will be advertised where appropriate as per the
Regulations, and representations may be made within 28 days of the
adverts being placed.