Hydro Power

You can use water from a stream or reservoir to produce electricity for your home. Turbines can convert energy from moving water into electricity. You can build new installations or refurbish one of the many old hydro systems in North Yorkshire, to generate useful electricity for your home or business.

Cost to Install

£500 to £5,000 per kW capacity*

(Estimated up to¹/₄ household requirement)

*Individual site conditions can affect costs significantly

Grants

Renewable energy grants are available from the Government, via the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Advantages of hydro power

Hydro provides reliable and constant energy supply.
Annual emissions of CO₂ will be reduced
Visual impacts can be minimal
Long life expectancy, high reliability and low maintenance costs
Hydro power can reduce your electricity bills
Small-scale projects may not require dams
Turbines can work on sites with a small vertical drop of water

Licenses to divert water flow can be obtained from the Environment Agency and planning permission should also be sought.

Page updated: 20th December 2007