Hydraulic sizing
Small hydropower plants

Small hydropower plants (SHP) are defined as all hydropower plants with a capacity of less than 10 MW in Europe, and 12 MW since Law 2000-108 of February 10, 2000 in France (see [Doc. D 3 930] ). At the time, 10 MW was chosen as the maximum power that would not disrupt grid stability.

Small hydropower plants fall into several categories:

• picocentrales from 10 to 100 kW ;

• micro-power plants from 100 kW to 1 MW ;

• mini power plants from 1 MW to 10 or 15 MW.