Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has come under criticism following increases to their Charging Scheme for 2015/16.
The proposals include changes to abstraction charges for licences to abstract water for the production of electricity from £135 to £1,500.
NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman, Bernard Llewellyn said, “It is the aspiration of many farmers in Wales to produce their own energy and there is growing interest in utilising the full range of renewable technologies available including hydro.”
He added, “Members who embark on hydro projects cite a number of barriers to scheme development including the NRW permitting process, planning, obtaining land drainage consent together with grid connection issues and it is very disappointing that this significant increase in fees will act as a further barrier to farmers wishing to invest in small scale hydro.
“NFU Cymru believes the increased fees are totally disproportionate and unreasonable for small scale hydro schemes. The proposals are also at odds with Welsh Government Climate Change Policy which seeks to maximise renewable and low carbon energy at small and large scale across Wales.”
In conclusion Mr Llewellyn said, “Whilst we recognise that NRW is governed by HM Treasury rules to recover the costs of its regulatory services, we believe there are opportunities for NRW, through its Hydropower Stakeholder Group, to develop a permitting system for hydro schemes that more accurately reflect their scale and impact and, therefore, the costs that applicants are required to pay.”
NFU Cymru has also opposed the increases to the Environmental Permitting Regime which will see fees increase by 5% for Installations and Waste and CPI (Consumer Price Index) increases for Environmental Permitting – Water Quality.
