We have seen a masive surge in interest in the development of the UK hydropower industry in the past few years. The UK Government's spending review is leading to cuts in not only the public sector but across industry and business. Renewable energy, however, continues to enjoy Government support as 2020 generation targets loom ever closer. Hydropower had a head start over emerging technologies and will provide a significant contribution to the renewable energy mix. There must now be an acceleration of effort from developers, consultants, manufacturers and service providers demanding efficient use and exapnsion of our hydro resources - projects, people, construction and manufacturing.

 

The BHA Summer Forum will be an opportunity for the hydropower sector to share experience, debate improvements and implement measures to achieve our goals. The confrence programme will cover a variety of topics including consenting and regulation, government support, operating in National Parks, community hydro, tidal range and technical innovation., attracting a diverse deleagtion from the hydro industry, government and regulatory departments, entrepreneurs, academic and other stakeholders.

 

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Naeem ul Hassan JP, will welcome delegates and exhibitors to the event and to Manchester.

 

The Government response to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) review consultation will be announced very soon and is likely to coincide with this event. The Department of Energy & Climate Change's Team Leader Feed-in-Tariffs, John Costyn, will make a presentation based on this schedule. He will describe the changes to the FiT with regard to UK hydropower development and answer delegates questions. NOT TO BE MISSED!