Artist's impression of our Jordan Dam hydro power scheme.

Sheffield Renewables [1] is celebrating gaining planning permission for our Jordan Dam hydro power scheme near Meadowhall.

Rob Pilling, Managing Director said “Planning permission for our hydro power scheme is a boost to our plans for community owned renewable energy in Sheffield. It is particularly encouraging that so much of the work was contributed by volunteers.”

The scheme will generate around 310,000kWh of electricity per year. This is the amount used by about 80 typical family homes [2], providing a saving of around 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year [3]. The site was chosen because it is one of the best water power resources in Sheffield.

Uncertainty over planning permission was a significant barrier to the project’s development. Now that is has been overcome, we will be focusing on raising the money required to build the scheme. With volunteers leading the scheme’s development, Sheffield Renewables is keen to ensure that ownership resides within the Sheffield community. The aim will be to raise £250,000 towards the scheme through a community share offer in the Autumn. This will provide an ethical investment opportunity to individuals, organisations and businesses.

The remaining costs will be met with grants and loans. Profits from the scheme will support the development of more renewable energy projects in the city. Anyone that is interested can find out more about getting involved by visiting: www.SheffieldRenewables.org.uk

Ends

[1] Sheffield Renewables is a community and a social enterprise that develops, funds, builds, owns and operates renewable energy schemes. This means that we are run by and for local people and also that we are not-for-profit. Surplus money we earn is re-invested to support local sustainability. Much of our work is carried out by volunteers, which helps to reduce our costs.

Our schemes will contribute to city wide efforts to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and for increasing local renewable energy provision. We reinforce these direct carbon savings through local outreach, communications and education. Our work also helps to strengthen social cohesion and community resilience by encouraging people to work together and share a common purpose, as well as by developing community owned assets. In pursuing our aims we work across the city for the benefit of everyone, while giving an additional focus to those areas close to our project sites.

[2] This is based on an average UK household electricity consumption of 3,935kWh per household per year. Provided by the Energy Saving Trust (see their website)

[3] Based on a carbon dioxide emission rate of 0.537kg CO2/kWh of grid generated electricity from The Carbon Trust (see their website)