Power from the Landscape
water power in the South Pennines

Sunday, 25 October 2009

Following on from the very successful Power in the Landscape project, where the Alternative Technology Centre researched the old water powered mills of the Upper Valley, we are pleased to announce that we have now received funding from the LEADER programme for a two year project supporting communities who wish to develop micro hydro across the South Pennines. The project consists of a permanent display of micro hydro technologies in the Energy Room of the ATC plus providing a wealth of information and expertise via meetings, walks, talks to raise awareness throughout the South Pennines.

Water power has been used to provide energy since the earliest times and this area was the powerhouse of the early industrial revolution of the 19th century.

The landscape in the Upper Valley is typical across the whole of the South Pennines catchment areas – that of steep sided valleys with fast flowing rivers.

The  project aims to produce ‘clean’ renewable energy that will supply local houses and communities, allowing them to reduce their carbon footprint as well as generating income. The community and heritage aspects of the project will bring added benefits to the South Pennines.

Project manager, Pete Hill, said "I’m very excited to be involved with Power From The Landscape; the opportunity to raise awareness of the potential of micro hydro schemes and help develop projects through to commissioning and producing renewable energy is fantastic. I look forward to visiting communities and hope the project will inspire people to look at the industrial heritage of the South Pennines and adapt this to the challenges of the 21st Century. I’m planning to have a very hands on approach – visiting sites, getting in the water and making the process accessible and educational to all.

The project will be launched on Tues evening, Nov 10th at Gibson Mill, where anybody who thinks they have a potential site, or who would like more information are invited. Please book a place by contacting the ATC.

There will also be an exhibition with further information and a working demonstration of micro hydro at the ATC in Hebden Bridge.

Please contact the ATC on 01422 842121,
pete@powerinthelandscape.co.uk
www.powerfromthelandscape.co.uk

See also

Hebweb Forum thread - Water power (October 2009)