Form

Hydroelectric power schemes: application

Use form (WR317) and guidance (WR318) to apply for permission for a hydroelectric power scheme.

Documents

Application for hydroelectric‐power scheme permissions – about you (form WR317)

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Application for hydroelectric‐power scheme permissions – about you – guidance notes (form guidance WR318)

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Details

Read the guidance notes WR318 and complete form WR317 to apply for a water resources licence for a hydroelectric power scheme.

You also need to complete the following water resources licence application forms:

  • Part B application for a water resources abstraction licence – about the abstraction (abstraction licences only)
  • Part C application for a water resources abstraction licence – additional information such as the duration of the licence, water use and how you will measure what you have abstracted (abstraction licences only)
  • Part D application for a water resources impoundment licence – about your impounding proposal (impoundment licences only)
  • Part E application charge for water resources licence – your application charge

Before you apply

Before you fill in this application, the Environment Agency recommend you fill in the hydroelectric power schemes: pre-application form (form WR315) and submit it as a request for enhanced pre-application advice. This is to make sure you are applying for the correct permissions for your scheme, and that you include all the documents they need with your formal application. 

You should also check the main guidance on how to apply to build a new hydropower scheme.

Published 12 May 2011
Last updated 13 December 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added an explanation of which forms need completing as well as the hydropower form. Improved references to enhanced pre-application service and removed reference to Account Managers as this is no longer part of the process.

  2. Update to the guidance and form. Added links to the charging scheme and the forms that need to be filled out to support the application. Update to provide different contact details.

  3. Updated version of forms WR317 and WR318.

  4. First published.