The main trade association for the hydro sector is the British Hydropower Association (BHA), which currently has some 150 members including consulting engineers, designers, manufacturers, developers and specialist service providers.
There is also an organisation called the Micro Hydro Association (MHA), which is made up of current and potential generators, and suppliers of micro hydro products and services. They work independently of, but alongside, the BHA.
The relevant regulator in England and Wales is the Environment Agency (EA). The EA is responsible for issuing environmental permits, e.g. for impoundment, abstraction, flooding and fish pass.
In Scotland, the relevant authority for issuing environmental licences is the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
Ofgem is the body responsible for registering developers on the ROCs or FITs schemes.
The Energy Saving Trust can provide advice on all small-scale renewable energy technologies, including hydro, and it is particularly interested in community schemes.