Are there plans to increase the use of hydroelectric power?
Opportunities to increase large-scale hydroelectric in the UK are limited as most commercially attractive and environmentally acceptable sites have by now been utilised. That said, In the spring of 2005 construction began on a large 100-megawatt scheme at Glendoe Scotland. This scheme is due to commence generation towards the end of 2008. There are several new small-scale hydroelectric schemes in planning or development. A number of other smaller schemes have also been approved in Scotland over the past few years, such as the 3.5-megawatt development at Kingairloch in Lochaber and the 2.2-megawatt scheme at Braevallich in Argyll. These schemes will provide enough electricity to meet the demands of over 5,000 households. Some old watermills are being refurbished and bought back into the energy supply network. If small-scale hydroelectric power from all of the streams and rivers in the UK could be tapped, it would be possible to produce 10,000 gigawatt hours (1 gigawatt hours = 1,000,000
