Hydropower

Small scale renewable energy projects are becoming more popular across Northern Ireland.

We are keen to remind landowners and developers how important it is that schemes meet the necessary standards to protect the aquatic environment and to conform with planning requirements.

If you are considering installing such a scheme on your land, you are required to apply for an abstraction and impoundment licence from us, which will incur an application fee.

Each application we receive will be considered on a case by case basis.

NIEA guidance for Hydropower projects

The draft guidance document issued June 2011 has now been updated. The new document reflects the views and concerns of those stakeholders and interested parties who attended the Hydropower workshop on 28th June 2011 and also the submissions received by the Agency in recent months.

The new Guidance for run-of river Hydropower Schemes in Northern Ireland (.PDF 460Kb) is open for further comment from all stakeholders until 30th March 2012. Any new submissions should be sent to:

Mr Nigel Duffy

Abstraction and Impoundment Licensing Team

Water Management Unit

17 Antrim Road

Lisburn

BT28 3AL

or by email to AIL@doeni.gov.uk