An exciting new study has just been commissioned by Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to investigate the hydropower potential of the area. 

 

Consultants are about to start work on an AONB Hydropower Feasibility Study, which will identify sites in the AONB that may be suitable to become future mini and micro-hydropower sites.

 

Sarah Kettlewell, Assistant AONB Officer said, "This study is going to be incredibly interesting and we anticipate that it will highlight a number of sites which have the potential to install a hydropower system.  By working with interested landowners, consultants will gather information so that they can make an initial assessment of the approximate power and energy potential of sites. This will then indicate the financial viability of schemes. In addition, consultants will gather vital information about the environmental impacts and regulatory constraints which could affect the development of small scale schemes".

 

The study is being launched following a statement from the Environment Agency, explaining that it is supporting the development and growth of hydropower in England and Wales through new guidance that will make schemes quicker and easier to implement. 

 

Applications for permits to build small scale hydropower schemes have increased dramatically in the last five years and the Environment Agency is keen to see the swift deployment of this technology to help meet the Government's renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

 

Sarah Kettlewell said, "The AONB has a long history of harnessing hydropower and the remains of former mills and their water systems can be seen across the landscape.  Given this heritage, hydropower obviously has huge potential and as an organisation we are keen to see the development of more small-scale renewable energy schemes".