Hydropower development and environmental requirements in Lithuania

Abstract

This paper describes the environmental requirements relating to the development of hydropower projects. A particular emphasis is given to hydropower and environmental legal frameworks. An over-view of national hydropower development tendencies is presented, analysis of the environmental legislation and the ELA procedures is given, and ecological flow regulations currently in force are treated. Only small hydropower (P < 10 MW) regulations well established and harmonized in accordance with the similar EU regulatory standards are applied in Lithuania. Efforts of enactment of the comprehensive hydropower legislation including both small and large hydro issues are currently under way. Environmental legislation regarding hydropower development is well founded and clearly defined. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures correspond entirely to those required by the EU Directives and other regulations dealing with the implementation of the EIA. A major barrier hindering country's hydropower development is due to the requirements ensuring the life and reproduction of migrating fish. The simple empiric method, based on the hydrology of the river is used in practice to quantify ecological (instream) flow. By comparing it to the more advanced methods used in other countries, in most cases, the calculated minimum flow values are less. Therefore, there is the need to develop the methods based on biological and ecological considerations, especially for the rivers characterized by more concentrated fish habitat.