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Green tariff hydro boost
RENEWABLE energy campaigners behind a scheme to generate energy from water flowing over a South Yorkshire dam say their project has got an important boost from new rules that guarantee a good price for the electricity they generate.
Sheffield Renewables wants to raise 450,000 to build a hydro-electric plant at Jordan Dam, on the River Don, just past Blackburn Meadows sewage processing plant.
The social enterprise is soon to publish an independent report by consultants which it hopes will help it attract investors and says the introduction of the new "Feed In Tariff" means its plans to produce enough electricity to power around 100 homes are even more economically viable.
Sheffield Renewables' business and funding director, Mark Wells, said: "This makes it easier for Sheffield Renewables to plan and build viable projects. It makes it easier for us to put together a package which will attract the finance we need to make our projects a success."
If the Jordan Dam project gets built, any surplus generated by selling electricity to the supply network at elevated Feed In Tariff prices will be reinvested in developing additional local schemes, or to support other projects which enhance local sustainability.
"It's a really neat approach because this way the whole community benefits," Mark added.
The Feed In Tariff scheme started on April 1 and means householders, businesses and communities are guaranteed an elevated price for the electricity they generate from renewable technologies including solar, biomass, hydo and wind energy.
Sheffield Renewables was formed by volunteers in late 2007, to improve Sheffield's environmental sustainability by harnessing local enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to create a social enterprise that develops, owns and operates renewable energy schemes contributing to city-wide efforts to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
