The inspiring Hexham River Hydro, a joint initiative between Hexham Hydro Partnership & Transition Tynedale, won our first ever energyshare competition for renewable energy grants, made possible by British Gas and the carbon reduction charity, Carbon Leapfrog.
This local community initiative secured £100,000 of funding for a project that will not only provide all the electricity needs of 150 houses for 40 years, but the sustainable income generated will be ploughed back into local community regeneration projects. The 100kw of energy produced each year will reduce Hexham’s C0² by 400 tonnes a year. Good news all round as locally generated electricity is used to help the community it comes from.
The groups behind Hexham River Hydro have ensured that the local community has stayed at the heart of this project. The weir at Hexham Bridge will sustainably harness the power of the River Tyne for years to come and will improve the river environment for everyone – from the local fishermen to the fish to local kids. Community engagement in the project is essential and it’s hoped that the generation facility will be used as a great educational tool for local schools, community groups & visitors.
The £100,000 energy grant is enabling the initiative to work closely with specialist consultants to create detailed design proposals that will ensure the historic Hexham Bridge retains its great architecture, and the local ecology is undamaged.
Find out more about the Hexham River Hydro here.