A FIVE-YEAR project to produce electricity using a Greenfield reservoir has sparked into fruition as a community group launches the country’s first high head hydro scheme.
Eco-friendly locals set about installing the Saddleworth Community hydro-electric turbine at Dovestone Reservoir to create an enterprise with no pollution or blot on the landscape.
The group sought permission and technical assistance from the reservoir United Utilities (UU) and raised money through shareholders, along with a significant grant from Defra, before building got underway last January.
Renewables First designed the scheme, which is the first of its kind at an existing high head dam in England, built a new turbine house, and installed the pipework and turbine.
The turbine house, turbine and generator were all in place at the foot of the dam by March, with UU’s experts preparing to divert the flow of water to generate electricity.
And the scheme was officially declared up and running last month as excited members of the Saddleworth Community Hydro Group, locals and councillors gathered at the site for the Opening Ceremony.
Sophie Rangwala and Phoebe Skidmore, Friezland Primary School pupils, held the ribbon which was cut by special guest Adrian Ramsay, Chief Executive of The Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth.
He was joined by Bill Edwards, chairman of Saddleworth Community Hydro Group, the Mayor of Oldham Fida Hussain and his wife Tanvir.
Bill Edwards said: “This project demonstrates that a group of local people can actually do something to slow down climate change! We are not powerless or helpless.
“We now know how to set up such a project and are happy to share what we have learned and so enable others to replicate our success.”
Adrian Ramsay added: “The scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the community comes together to think creatively about producing a sustainable source of energy in their own control.
“CAT’s report Zero Carbon Britain sets out a vision for a Britain that is not reliant on fossil fuels; communities like Saddleworth are starting to make that vision a reality and I hope they will inspire others to join them.”
The pioneering scheme uses the 16 million litres of water released from the reservoir every day, with some diverted to flow through the new turbine house and energy extracted to generate electricity.
This is supplied to and distributed via the National Grid and the turbine will generate of 43KW of hydroelectricity to produce enough zero carbon electricity for about 75 homes.
Ed Stacey, a shareholder in the Saddleworth Community Hydro Group who built his own eco-house in Saddleworth, said: “I am so pleased it’s finally open as it’s been a long time in the making.
“Water is all around us in Saddleworth but none of it is harnessed for anything. This is a wonderful project to see and I hope this will be a model for other places.”
Chris Matthews, Head of Sustainability at UU, added: “We are proud to be working with the group. I think it is fantastic that a local group of people can come together to achieve this.
“We are keen to support community groups whenever we can and we will be continuing to work closer with them now the scheme is up and running.”
For more information about the Saddleworth Community Hydro scheme visit their website: www.saddleworthhydro.co.uk
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