The Environment Agency wants to see the swift deployment of sustainable hydropower schemes, but must ensure that these do not increase flood risk, damage ecology, damage the fish population or obstruct fish migration.

A hydropower consultation launched on Friday 19 March seeks to uncover the changes necessary to improve the hydropower permitting process, while maintaining high standards of environmental protection.

The consultation lasts for 12 weeks, closing on 11 June. The responses and recommendations will be published on the Environment Agency website in November 2010.