Bristol Energy Cooperative is crowdfunding for a hydro-electric scheme on the river Avon in Bristol. This project missed out on the last round of Feed-in-Tariffs because the FiT fund was over-subscribed, but this doesn’t mean the end of the project. With a little help, it can now become a trailblazing unsubsidised renewable energy project. This will be Bristol Energy Coop's first unsubsidised large project and probably the first UK unsubsidised hydro scheme for many years.
Climate change hasn’t gone away because UK subsidies have ended, and Bristol Energy Coop feel it is important to rise to the challenge of progressing this project without subsidy. To achieve Zero Carbon within Bristol and the UK, many more unsubsidised renewable energy projects like this will be needed, and it is import we learn how to successfully do it. The Coop is committed to developing the Netham Weir scheme and use lessons learned on further projects.
A great deal of work has already gone into the scheme and it makes sense to crack on and finish it. Bristol Energy Coop have invested funds into the project but cannot commit additional funding until further development has been completed and a revised business case established. This is where you can come in. They are now crowdfunding to finish the development work and move to a position of raising the construction finance. This would bring the opportunity for individuals, organisations and businesses to invest in the hydro scheme.
Whilst there is no absolute guarantee the project will proceed; it is already well progressed with crucial Planning and Environmental consents in place. If you would like to see this scheme succeed and contribute to a Zero Carbon Bristol, you can increase the chance of it going ahead by becoming an official Netham Weir Hydro Electric supporter. To find out more information about the scheme, and how to support, visit:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/netham-weir-community-hydro-electric