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Abstraction of inland water for hydro power of more than 50m³ per day

Table of contents

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Authorisation level
Pre-application engagement
Public consultation
Fit and Proper Person tests
Fees and charges
Permit conditions
How to apply
Help and guidance
You may also need

This activity applies to the abstraction and/or impoundments from inland waters for hydro power where the total daily volume is more than 50m3 per day.

Authorisation level

Permit

Pre-application engagement

Pre-application public engagement is normally required for pump storage hydro schemes and hydro schemes with more than 24 hours storage. Before submitting your application, you must engage with the local community to find out the views of those likely to be affected by the proposed activity and to gather relevant information about the potential impacts of the proposed activity. You will be asked to demonstrate that you have engaged and share the feedback received as part of the permit application process.

Public consultation

We may publicly consult on applications that, due to their nature or location, have higher likelihood of environmental impact and community impact.

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application of a new authorisation for this activity.

An annual activity fee normally applies to this activity.

Read our charging information for further information on application and annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a permit that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.

Permit conditions

Permits may contain both standard conditions and conditions specific to the activity and location. The conditions of your permit will be decided when we assess your application. This is to ensure that the appropriate limits and controls are in place to minimise pollution and protect the environment.

If you carry out an activity under a permit authorisation you must comply with the conditions set out in your authorisation. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

How to apply

In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.

New applications

You can apply for a new permit for this activity using our digital application service.

If you are applying for new permit, we would encourage you to contact us with any pre-application enquiries before submitting your application.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-WR2: Abstraction of water from inland surface water of more than 50m3 per day and any associated impoundments

Step 2: Provide supporting information

For a new permit, you will also need to provide the following supporting information:

Non-technical summary of your application
Details of whether the activity may impact on SSSIs, SACs and SPAs
Drawings of any impoundments
Details of any fish pass designs (if required)
Details of any pre-application community engagement
Details of sediment management at each impoundment
Details on the operating regime of the hydropower scheme
Any management agreements in place controlling the operation of any impoundments or abstractions
Details on abstraction monitoring
Design drawings of return structures
Report assessing risk to fish (if required)
Details of any mitigation to minimise environmental impact

Step 3: Submit using our digital application service

You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.

Make an application for a new authorisation

You can apply to vary an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your variation form

You will need to download and complete the following variation form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-V: Water permit variation form

Step 2: Submit your application for a variation

Make an application to vary an authorisation

You can apply to transfer an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your transfer form

You will need to download and complete the following transfer form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-T: Water permit transfer form

Step 2: Submit your application

Read Transfer an existing authorisation to find out how to submit your application for a transfer

To apply to surrender an existing permit that authorises this activity, read Surrender an existing authorisation