Dear DodgyGeezer, Tiger Tiger, & Barry, I reply in one Post.
Dear Barry, Yes, good news re the Scottish Proj.. N.Ireland has had one for some while now and is doing well with it. B.
Dear Tiger Tiger, British mining - as just one industry - survived very well with water power up until steam arrived, with many thousands of hp. - and from single take-off's alone (just one mine for example had six wheels in tandem from two leat supplies from three reservoirs producing probably nearly 300 hp.. Collieries were first with steam use, Cornwall second, and other areas progressively if they could obtain a cost effective supply coal. Some metal mining areas continued with water power until their decline in the 1920's (pelton wheels and various forms of turbines), and in Wales alone this was many thousands of hp. between lead, zinc, copper, slate. Many villages throughout the more 'hilly' regions of GB generated electricity by pelton wheel and turbines from 30 to 200 hp. each - privately owned operators - and indeed there were many private micro-generators between 1920 to as late as 1960 - powering anything from hotels, small factories, farms, and private houses. The development of the grid, and 'national local' supply, made this supply more convenient so private generation went into decline - I make no mention of the countless corn, wool, flannel, and other mills that used water (many with between two, three or four water wheels from one river source - 40 to 60hp each wheel). All these power sources are still there, and very very few are being used now... mainly due to the EA or other bodies blocking them... things are afoot to get this sorted out. If you look at the existing main hydro elec. schemes in GB (& personally don't rate pumped storage), many could be enlarged by placing other dams either above or below the existing facilities. Many rivers and hydro sources can be utilised more times than they are at the moment. Just one example is the Elan Valley (Birm.Water Supply), where the foundations were prepared for a future dam when the scheme was built in the late 1890's, and it remains so to this day - it could be built and switched between power generation and water supply (if the latter was ever needed). Many micro hydro schemes are possible, generating between 35 to 80kv +, but most are, again, being blocked by the EA etc., etc.. I make no mention here of the possibilities of barrages, tidal. And so the sorry tale goes on and on... one day it will happen of course... because it will have to! B.
Dear DodgyGeezer, Thanks for the info.. Even Norfolk could produce hydro.! B.
Regards To All, Bernard