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Historic site's powerful role
One of the first sites in Sheffield to use water power could soon be generating its own electricity.
Sheffield Renewables, the community enterprise that develops and operates renewable energy schemes wants to install a modern water wheel as part of a hydropower scheme at Kelham Island.
The organisation has teamed up with regeneration officers at Sheffield City Council, and Kelham Island Museum, part of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust to launch the initiative which could generate 75,000 kWh of electricity a year.
That would be enough to power 20 typical family homes and prevent around 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year being released into the atmosphere.
John Hamshere, chief executive of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust said: "We are very excited about this project because Kelham Island is one of the earliest water power sites in Sheffield.
"This scheme blends our commitment to sustainable energy with our responsibilities for preserving and promoting Sheffield's industrial heritage."
The wheel pit is one of the earliest industrial sites in Sheffield, where water power could have been harnessed as far back as the Middle Ages. The replacement wheel will be designed for a flow of two tonnes of water per second.
Sheffield Renewables says the water wheel will be an educational and visitor attraction in what is an increasingly popular area.
After submitting a planning application, the next steps will include further technical development, the submission of an application for an abstraction licence and a significant fundraising drive.
Sheffield Renewables says it welcomes comments and questions about the scheme, especially from anyone living nearby.
For information, visit http://www.sheffieldrenewables.org.uk.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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