Around 100 people packed Saddleworth Civic Hall in Uppermill on Thursday 15 December, for the launch of the Saddleworth Community hydro share prospectus.

Founding Directors Bill Edwards and Steve Welsh (H2ope) outlined plans for the future of the scheme and answered questions.

“It’s long been an ambition to generate green electricity here in Saddleworth and the launch of the prospectus means that we’re one step closer” said Bill.

North West MEP Chris Davies was on hand to officially launch the prospectus and was fulsome in his praise for the project.

“It’s a very credible scheme and judging from the degree of people expressing interest, one [which] I think will go ahead.  Bill and his team deserve a lot of credit” said Chris. 
 
“This [scheme] could be a first and rolled out to every single reservoir in the area. There’s no pollution, no CO2 emissions and maintenance is minimal.”

Saddleworth will be England’s first ‘high head’ community-owned hydro, using head from the 90ft dam at the Dove Stone reservoir. A 51kW turbine will be installed generating 170,000kWh/year electricity, enough to power 45 homes.

A prospectus can be downloaded at www.h2ope.co.uk.