Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential use of the River Ouse as a source of renewable energy.

Rivers can supply renewable energy in two main ways: they can provide hydro-electric power, and they can provide heat for water-sourced heat pumps.

The Department published a digital water source heat map in March 2015. The map estimates the potential thermal capacity of rivers, estuaries, canals and coastal sites in England. The map seeks to raise awareness of this potential source of renewable heat which can be utilised through the deployment of water source heat pumps supplying district heating networks and other users.

The map estimates the total heat capacity from the River Ouse at 505 Megawatts, enough to potentially heat 74,000 homes, subject to environmental and other location-specific consents.

Water source heat pumps are eligible for support through the Renewable Heat Incentive and heat network projects taken forward by Local Authorities can apply for support from the Heat Network Delivery Unit.