Water power scheme on track to hit target

An innovative scheme to generate hydropower from a turbine in the River Rea in Shropshire has raised almost £85,000 of investment in a month, more than half its target.

Organisers of the scheme say that they have drummed up £30,000 in the last week alone. The cash has been donated by individuals and by groups to the Neen Sollars Community Hydropower Co-operative.

It wants to set the turbine up next to Tetstill Mill to create green power for local people.

More than half of the £149,500 target has been reached already, although the initial share offer launched in February is due to end on Monday.

Organisers say the project will break new ground as the electricity produced will be owned by shareholders of the co-operative.

If successful, the project would bring the mill back into use generating power as it used to more than 900 years ago. The 12.5KW turbine in the river is expected to produce about 20 per cent of household electricity needs for villagers in Neen Sollars, according to project organisers.

Bill Duley, project manage, has previously said it is hoped the turbine will be installed over the summer for the first power to be generated in the autumn. There has been interest in the scheme from across Shropshire and also neighbouring Worcestershire.

Jon Halle, of Sharenergy, a Ludlow-base co-operative which is supporting the project, said: "The share offer closes on April 30 and has currently raised more than half of the £149,500 target at an accelerating rate, £30,000 was invested last week.

"By joining the new co-operative at Neen Sollars members would be helping to pioneer a whole new approach to energy generation – green power, locally owned."

It has the backing of Shropshire Council and social enterprise Cleobury Country Ltd has pledged £20,000 after receiving funding from the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme. For details visit www.sharenergy.coop/neensollars