Hydropower

Hydropower provides less than 2% of the UK's power*

What is it?

Hydropower is energy generated from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams.

Strengths

Once built, the power stations do not release the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Hydropower is not vulnerable to changes in price like oil or gas.

Weaknesses

Power stations which rely on rainfall can be vulnerable to drought. Those which pump water back uphill (pump storage) rely on off-peak electricity. Large dams and resevoirs have a big impact on their immediate environment and the people who live near them.

The future

In the UK we have already built dams on many of the rivers best suited for generating hydro-electricity. That means large, new developments are unlikely but the use of smale-scale systems may increase.

* Based on Department of Trade and Industry 2004/2005 figures. The exact proportions change seasonally.