Pymore, Bridport – Community Hydro Power Event
Three weeks ago we described (here) how members of Dorset Energized had been invited to investigate the possibility of installing a small Hydro Power electricity generating station on the river Brit in Pymore near Bridport.
Well things are moving along and to build momentum on the 22nd September at 7.00 pm a Tea & Cakes event is being held at the Weir itself, in Pymore, where you can find out more about what is being proposed. It will also be an opportunity to pledge money toward the development, an investment in a better, greener, cleaner, future.
So if you have the slightest interest in hydro power, community energy, or are just curious, please come along and meet the people involved – a mixture of local residents and people with experience of developing community energy projects.
Would you like your community to generate its own electricity from the river?
Interesting and fine in theory. No account seems to have been taken of what happens to a wooden top structure that it subject to major flooding at that point maybe 2-3 times a yeard.
Also, what permissions are needed and from whom. Who ‘owns’ the existing structures in the river at that point? The Environment Agency? Have they given any permission? What access rights would be needed and from whom? Has Pymore Villoage Management Company been approached? Where would the power produced ‘go’? Where would it be connected to the grid – on whose property? Who would own/manage the installation – and administer the finances? What track record do they have?
Monty Crook, Pymore
Dear Monty, thanks for your comments which are really what we are exploring on Monday. We want to hear from everyone locally about their feelings, is it good idea , should we go forward together and explore all the problems. requirements and possibilities. I am sure Keith will be able to answer many of the technical questions and I am there to talk about community share schemes. But its your project and local desires that count.
Thanks for your questions Monty. If the management committee agree use of the river bank for a meeting next Monday, I hope you can join us and would appreciate it if you can ask further questions that I will answer as best I can. I want to emphasize that in my view, this has to be a community project and should not proceed further unless there is a clear will from the management company and residents to do so.
The drawing is representational only and the turbine house has to fit in with the visual aesthetic of the site. It would need to be placed above flood level, as would the generator.An abstraction license, flood risk consent and possibly impoundment license would be required from the Environment Agency. The project design and negotiations with the EA would be lengthy. The site owner (the management company?) has right of access and must give their permission. A resident of Pymore (Jonny) has publicised the Monday meeting to all in Pymore and Management company directors will – I presume – carry above average weight at the event. The power could go three ways from the 3 phase generator to three different properties where the grid connections would be made. There are numerous design choices. I believe the project should be community owned. Again, there are choices as to the structure.`There are lots of discussions that could be had. I believe Vince and I have the answers to most questions that can be thrown at us but we want to hear the views of the company and residents.