Hydropower site at Backbarrow

High Furness Hydropower

The considerable potential for hydropower in the High Furness area of South Lakeland brought local people and experts together at a meeting held in Coniston on 15th May 2010. The event was organised by Colton Parish Councillors John Taylor and Brenda Fishwick, with the Clerk, Mandy Lane, and South Lakeland District Councillor, Colin Davies.

We thank John Ruskin School for its excellent venue and help in setting up the meeting.

The Panel of experts included:

• Roger Bingham (historian)

• Nick Jones (Little Salkeld Watermill)

• David Granville (Clerk, Satterthwaite Parish Council, coordinating a community hydropower project at Satterthwaite)

• Peter Hensman (formally of Gilkes)

• Jon Halle (Energy4All)

• Gwyn Williams (lawyer)

• John Biggs (sustainable development in Cumbria)
   

The following documents can be downloaded (PDF format*):

i)  Meeting Report
ii)  Presentation: Peter Hensman: Hydropower Equipment
iii) Presentation: Nick Jones: Little Salkeld Watermill
iv) Presentation: David Granville: Brief for a community hydropower project in Satterthwaite and Feasibility Study Report

Useful links:

• British Hydropower Association

• Gilkes Hydro

• Energy4All

• Share Energy Cooperative (Energy4All in the west midlands)

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