Hydro developers across Scotland have welcomed news that the upper limit for 60 percent relief for business rates for small-scale hydro schemes will be set at a rateable value of £5 million from April 2018.
The U-turn was announced by the Scot-Govt last month after an outcry from small-hydro power association in Scotland, led by Alba Energy, which had left some operators facing business rate rises of 400% or more.
Adrian Loening, Chairman of the British Hydropower Association – which is holding its annual UK conference in Glasgow next month – said:
“The 60 percent relief for hydro schemes is very welcome news, and now we know the upper limit will be a rateable value of up to £5 million we are extremely pleased that the vast majority of hydro operators in Scotland will benefit from the BHA’s sustained lobbying of the Scottish Government on this matter over the past 12 months.
“We will also continue our lobbying work on this matter both in England and Wales.
“We will now continue to press government to ensure that the forthcoming fast-track review of the Plant and Machinery Order is undertaken swiftly, efficiently and to the benefit of all hydro operators in Scotland.”
10 Oct 2017
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