National Plan for Modern Environmental Conditions in Hydropower Generation.

The present document contains the National Plan for Modern Environmental Conditions in Hydropower Generation, which takes a holistic view of water operations for the production of hydropower electricity with modern environmental conditions. This shall be accomplished in a coordinated manner, with the greatest possible benefit for the aquatic environment and the national access to hydropower. The National Plan lays down the foundation for a systematic approach to achieve this goal. As part of the holistic view, a guideline value is stated at the national level (1.5 terawatt hours) for what can be considered to have a significant negative impact on power generation. The holistic view also indicates where there is a risk for conflicts between conservation objectives in Nature 2000 sites and hydropower generation and how cultural environmental issues in general shall be taken into account.
The holistic view includes: assessment groups and a time schedule for an effective assessment (Section 2.1); a guideline value at the national level (1.5 terawatt hour) for what can be considered to constitute a significant negative impact on power production (Section 2.2); an overall description of where in the country there is a risk of conflicts between conservation objectives under Natura 2000 sites and water regulation promoting access to hydropower (Section 2.3); a description of where the most important power plants are located from a control point of view (Section 2.4); a description of the catchment areas where special considerations should be given to risk-preparedness and dam safety (Section 2.5 and 2.5, as well as Annex 2 and 3); assessment of the conditions for increasing power generation and control (Section 2.7); and how cultural environment issues should be considered in general (Section 2.8).
As contained in Section 2.3, the national plan shall draw attention to the risk of conflicts between conservation objectives in Natura 2000 sites and water regulation in favor of electricity production. Of Sweden's Natura 2000 areas with aquatic environments, 27 of these contain hydropower plants. The majority of these sites are home to habitats which are aquatic or habitat types or species that have a need for water. In addition to five large-scale hydropower plants located within Natura 2000 sites, most ares mall-scale hydropower plants. Water regulation is usually moderate and the dam areas are limited. However, it can not be ruled out that environmental measures may need to be taken in order not to risk deteriorating ir endangering favorable conservation status where these facilities are located. Information on which catchment areas contain power plants with particular significance for Sweden's emergency preparedness has been introduced in the National the Plan to draw attention to where electrical contingency capabilities shall be taken into account (Appendix 2).