Hydro power is a commercial technology, long established in Scotland, which accounts for a significant proportion of our existing renewable output. It contributes around 10% to Scotland's total current energy generation. Most output is produced by large scale hydro schemes. There are, however, an increasing number of proposals for small run of river hydro projects and these projects, together with the continuing refurbishment of the large hydro schemes will ensure that hydro will continue to play its part in Scotland's renewable energy mix.
The Scottish Hydropower Resource Study produced for the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) in Autumn 2008, found that there is huge untapped potential - and a sustainable and profitable future - in smaller and micro hydro schemes. It suggests that there are still 657 megawatts of financially viable hydro electricity schemes to exploit in Scotland.
Following on from the study, further research into potential job creation from micro-hydro schemes is currently being undertaken. The findings of this research will be published at the end of 2009.
The Renewables Action Plan which was published in June 2009 includes a specific Route-Map for Hydro which sets out key steps in realising the potential identified in the study. It also states that a new FREDS sub group on Micro-Hydro will be created to galvanise action in the sector. The group will meet for the first time in October 2009.