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Nuclear Free Local Authorities – visiting community owned project in the UK, at the start of Community Energy Fortnight,

 At the start of Community Energy Fortnight (10 June), NFLA Secretary
Richard Outram travelled to picturesque Dovestones Reservoir to visit his
nearest community owned hydro project. Saddleworth Community Hydro was
holding a public open day to mark the start of this annual event promoted
by Community Energy England, which is held to showcase projects, share
knowledge in the sector, and celebrate success.

Community Energy England
was founded in 2014 by community energy practitioners as the ‘voice’ of
the sector and to help put people at the heart of the energy system. Now
with over 275 community energy organisations as members, its mission is to
‘to help active community energy organisations implement new projects,
innovate, improve and grow.’ Saddleworth Community Hydro also started in
2014, commencing operations in September of that year. It was the first
high head project in England to generate power from the waters of a
reservoir.

At a cost of £500,000, it was financed almost equally by grants
from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and by the sale of shares
to around 200 members, and subsequent upgrades have been funded by local
supporters.

 NFLA 16th June 2023

June 18, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, UK