Welsh Affairs Committee report ignored two technologies southwalesargus.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from southwalesargus.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
By Craig Duggan
image captionHydro schemes harness the power of water as it flows through a turbine to generate electricity
Private hydropower schemes are on a cliff edge in Wales due to a decision to withdraw business rate relief for some projects from April, according to the British Hydropower Association.
In Wales, it is estimated it would cost less than £500,000 a year.
The Welsh government said over half of Wales energy needs were met through renewable sources.
It said this included a 2% contribution from 363 hydropower projects, and it had no evidence of any projects ceasing to operate due to unsustainable costs .
SOME of Scotland’s country estates are facing a financial crisis after a state aid loophole in a rate relief scheme hits green hydro-electric operators who produce almost a fifth of renewable energy output. Estates which sought to diversify into green energy schemes are being hit hardest through a bigger rates burden - because they have created multiple hydro schemes. A handful of operators are now said to be facing bankruptcy and campaigners are appealing for minsters’ help in the crisis. Hydro-electric generation in Scotland has a heritage going back to the days when it drove aluminium smelting plants at Kinlochleven and Fort William.
Renewable energy campaigners have today strongly urged ministers to consider the benefits of large-scale tidal range schemes to generate electricity and safeguard coastal communities as part of the UK’s low carbon future.