§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many privately operated electricity generating turbines are installed on rivers in England and Wales; if he will list them by location; and which Government Department has responsibility for permitting and overseeing their operations.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe number of privately operated electricity generating turbines installed on rivers in England and Wales is not known to the Government.
The National Association of Water Power Users has a membership of some 250. The association states that about half its members operate power generating turbines.
The appropriate local water authority has responsibility for permitting and overseeing the operation of water turbine users. To remain within the existing law, each user has to obtain a water abstraction licence from the relevant local water authority.
My Department has commissioned a study by Salford university of all potentially feasible and operating small-scale hydro energy sites in the United Kingdom. The report of this study is expected to be published shortly.