Scotland has enough untapped hydro potential to power a quarter of the nation's homes, according to a new study published on Tuesday.

The study carried out for the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland shows there are still 657 Megawatts of financially viable hydro electricity schemes to exploit. That would power around 600,000 homes and is around half the amount of installed hydro capacity that already exists in Scotland.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Water power has been used for centuries and Scotland was the one of the first countries in the world where electricity was harnessed from the water around us.

"That legacy is still visible - Scotland's ambitious hydro building programme in the 1950s and 1960s resulted in infrastructure which produces electricity today.

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"In making Scotland the green energy capital of Europe, we will utilise the rich mix of our diverse renewables potential, and hydro remains a hugely important part of that mix. "Investment continues, with the Glendoe project near Fort Augustus, scheduled to open next spring, set to be a significant addition to Scotland's renewables capacity.

"While we are unlikely to see much in the way of further large scale developments, it is clear there is huge untapped potential - and a sustainable and profitable future - in smaller and micro hydro schemes. Each scheme would have to be assessed on its own merits, but if we can turn the tap on to new hydro power we can tackle climate change and continue to stimulate economic growth."

David Williams, Chief Executive of the British Hydropower Association, said: "We welcome the Scottish hydropower study which proves the vital role which hydropower can play in the nation's drive for renewable energy generation. Hydropower has long been the 'quiet' renewable and this will stimulate development of new projects of all sizes in a country which has already embraced the benign and significant role of this technology. The British Hydropower Association and its members look forward to contributing much more to Scotland's renewable future."

Installed hydro electric capacity in Scotland is 1379 Megawatts. The study shows that using expected load factors of 40 per cent for run of river schemes and close to 100% for storage schemes, the total number of additional homes that could be powered is 589,000.

(GK/JM)