Hydro-plant project needs financial plan

Hydro-plant project needs financial plan

3 February 2016

FUNDING is being sought for a feasibility study into an innovative hydro-electric plant in Drumaness.

Details of the plan to harness the power of thousands of gallons of water which flows over the dam in the village every hour to generate electricity were outlined at a public meeting in the village last week.

The plan is to sell the generated electricity to the national grid to produce an income stream, with those driving the new initiative also considering linking the hydro generation plant directly to the nearby Dan Rice Hall. The move would significantly reduce the building’s running costs currently financed by ratepayers.

The Drumaness and District Community Association has agreed to spearhead the hydro generation initiative and use the income to finance other green energy schemes and to encourage residents and businesses in the village to collectively reduce their carbon footprints.

The green energy project is the first of its kind being spearheaded by a community group in Northern Ireland.

In addition to finding funding for a feasibility study, the group also needs to secure planning permission and plans to meet with landowners in the vicinity of the dam and the nearby Mill Pond ahead of submitting a formal application.

Councillor Mark Murnin described the tone of last week’s public meeting to discuss the scheme as “enthusiastic” with agreement to take the innovative project forward. He said representatives from the village’s cricket club were in attendance and joined by community group officials and members of the local angling club.

“The location of the Mill Pond just above the dam is crucial to the scheme’s success and it is important this area is maintained. The pond and dam are natural assets which are at the heart of the hydro generation initiative,” he continued.

“The water always flows over the dam which is a great starting point, but the flow can be stronger or weaker at times of the year. That is why we require the feasibility study.”

Councillor Murnin said that as a result of last week’s public meeting, various people have been assigned a number of tasks to start the ball rolling.

“Completing the feasibility study and securing planning approval are the two key objectives. We are confident the hydro generation plant can act as a catalyst to encourage a range of energy saving initiatives in Drumaness.”

A number of potential funders are to be targeted, including the Mourne Gullion and Lecale Area Partnership, which has £8.5m available for a range of community projects. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is financing the installation of a hydro generation plant at Camlough Lake in Newry to sell electricity to the national grid and is confident the start-up costs will be recouped over a period of time. People in Drumaness are hoping their scheme will also be supported by the local authority.

“With the support of the people in Drumaness we can now begin work on hopefully delivering a hydro-generation plant in the village. Connecting the plant to the Dan Rice Hall is something worth pursuing, producing a saving for ratepayers at the same time,” said councillor Murnin.

He added: “Drumaness has the potential to create something which is unique in small villages of this kind. The hydro generation initiative is very much a flagship project which will hopefully appeal to funders.”