A renewable energy project in the Lake District has been praised for its efforts to help tackle the climate crisis.
Meet the Generators is a series of short films from Good Energy’s network of 1,700 businesses, non-profits and communities which supply it with power.
Case studies include Tongue Gill Hydro in Grasmere, which produces more than 450MWh of renewable electricity each year, enough to supply 150 homes.
The project is the brainchild of business partners Bev Dennison and Jo Dennison Drake, who sold their local farm to finance the scheme.
Work began in 2013 and was completed in 2014. It is in a steep valley below Seat Sandal and next to the popular Wainwright Coast to Coast footpath, it features a 600-metre underground pipeline, with a turbine and transformer.
It captures rainfall from a wide catchment area which means the generator is often working at full capacity, before the water continues down the wooded ravine and over waterfalls to join the River Rothay.
Bev said: “We were very keen on having a ‘full circle’ business where 100 per cent of what we take out – the water – is put back in again.”
Jo added: “It was a tremendous journey and a huge leap of faith, but we really believed in what we were doing. The whole project blends into the landscape because we took great care to recycle the stone to create the walls and banking, and the roof of the powerhouse is at the same level as the footpath, with planting on top.
“We get lots of interest and compliments from the thousands of walkers who pass by every year. We enjoy telling them about it. Not only have we got the hydro project, but we’ve also worked with local partners and volunteers to improve the native woodland.
“The trees help to stabilise the rocky landscape and prevent landslides, and we’ve seen a significant increase in red squirrels, deer and birds.
“It feels as if the changes to the landscape have really supported the local wildlife. It’s a lovely feeling.
“The added benefit is that we’re selling our electricity to a truly green company. It means so much to us.”
Good Energy chief executive Nigel Pocklington said: “We need to drastically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels so it’s more important than ever that we recognise the vital role of independent generators in making the world a cleaner, greener place.
“Jo and Bev are inspirational and deserve to be congratulated on their achievements.
“We are proud to be working with them, and we hope their story will encourage others to generate their own power and help to tackle the climate crisis.”
Good Energy was founded in 1999 and boasts a 100 per cent renewable energy mix, consisting of wind, biogeneration, solar and hydroelectricity projects.
