THE SADDLEWORTH Community Hydro Scheme has been given the green light to be constructed at a much-loved Greenfield reservoir.
Oldham Borough Council granted planning permission for the Green Energy project, which will use local renewable and sustainable resources to create electricity, at Dovestone Reservoir.
The innovative use of a hydro-electric 51kw crossflow turbine is to be housed in a small unit adjacent to United Utility’s existing pumping installations.
The unobtrusive building, about the size of a domestic garage, will be faced with matching Ashlar stone and topped with a ‘living green’ roof.
Actual construction is ready to start, with main contractor Renewables First, and the steering group hopes to be producing electricity by the end of the year.
As the turbine will be powered by the compensation water released into the river below, the quiet and unobtrusive generator will provide a constant supply of electricity, for which the National Grid pay the maximum tariff.
It is hoped the project, one of the first of its kind in England, may prove capable of producing enough power to meet the needs of more than 70 average households.
To find out more, visit the website: https://sites.google.com/site/saddleworthcommunityhydro/
