Nethermills Hydro Scheme opens on River Ayr
A new hydroelectric power scheme opens on the River Ayr on Monday 28th February 2022. Cutting the ribbon to officially declare the scheme operational is local wildlife enthusiast Hazel Meakin who was involved in the project from the start of the construction phase.
The scheme was built by Energy Agency Renewables Ltd, who fully own and operate the scheme. The company is a not-for-profit subsidiary of local charity, the Energy Agency who are based at Auchincruive, Ayr. After several years of development, construction started on the site in the river in April 2021.
The scheme will supply up to 83kW of green electricity to neighbouring Ayrshire College, with any not used being sent to the electricity grid. It should produce around 320,000kWh of electricity in a typical year, the equivalent of supplying around 110 homes. The proceeds from the sale of electricity and associated feed-in-tariffs will be used to fund projects which reduce fuel poverty in the local area.
The hydro turbine is an Archimedes screw 4-metres in diameter and 9 metres long. It is designed to be low impact, environment- and fish-friendly. The scheme features new smolt chutes and eel passes, which will assist the passage of migratory salmon and eels. Marine Scotland Science have advanced plans for the installation of a fish counter in the fish pass to benefit the management of the River Ayr catchment fishery. The scheme will also act as an attraction and an education source for local schools and colleges. It will prevent the emission of approximately 147 tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas annually and continue to generate green energy for many decades.
Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport said:
“I am delighted to see the Nethermills hydro project on the River Ayr’s historic old mill weir site reaching completion.
It is great to see renewables projects such as this, not only generating green energy for local use but really focused on maximising benefit to the wider Ayrshire community through supporting green jobs and the local supply chain, reinvesting in schemes to help alleviate fuel poverty, and helping to raise awareness and actively engage the local community in a sustainable and just transition to net zero.
The Energy Agency, its partners, and all those involved in realising the Nethermills project are to be commended for their passion and commitment.”
Liz Marquis, Director of Energy Agency Renewables said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the opening of this important new hydro scheme which will generate green electricity now and well into the future. It will also generate essential funding to the local area to assist our ongoing work in tackling fuel poverty. The success in building this scheme has only been possible due to the efforts of our contractors and many partners and I extend my thanks to them for their hard work and dedication.”
Ayrshire College Principal Carol Turnbull said, “We are delighted to be participating in this exciting green energy project which forms part of our College Sustainability Plan. In addition to getting a local zero carbon energy source, the hydro scheme provides ongoing learning opportunities for our students and staff. This will be hugely beneficial for our renewable energy curriculum area."
1 March 2022
Share this post
