Information about the project can still be found here as we will always be working closely with Ham United Group, however please check out our new website at www.hamhydro.org
The first project under development is the installation of hydro power turbines on the River Thames at Teddington Weir.
Our vision for this project is twofold:
- to generate clean electricity from the hydropower installation, thus reducing carbon emissions locally and nationally, and
- to use the income generated to promote and develop further low-carbon solutions in Ham and surrounding areas.
Who we are
In 2006, Ham residents formed Ham United Group (HUG) to improve the local environment, build community cohesion and raise ecological awareness. HUG is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is a member of Teddington & Ham Hydro CIC (registration number: 07231031) to ensure HUG’s continuing connection with the hydro project.
The group quickly expanded and in 2007 became interested in developing a hydropower project at the nearest suitable location, Teddington Weir, which connects Ham with Teddington on the other side of the River Thames. In early 2009 the group then commissioned a local renewable energy consultancy, Thames Renewables, to produce a feasibility study for the project. This study demonstrated the clear viability of such a scheme and the steering group then decided to form Ham Hydro to take the project forward.
The CIC is a social enterprise which aims to harness the expertise and power of community to help to create a low-carbon economy. Any surpluses after debt or interest repayments will be used to develop further low-carbon solutions in Ham & Petersham, Teddington and in Richmond Borough as a whole.
The Ham Hydro project has been modelled along the lines of community-led hydro power projects developed elsewhere in the UK, such as the Torrs Hydro New Mills and the Settle Hydro schemes.
In early March 2010, the Environment Agency issued a call for expressions of interest to develop a hydro power scheme on Teddington Weir. Ham Hydro worked extremely hard to make a submission and was selected for the interview stage.
The Environment Agency told us in early August 2010 that we had been selected as the developer for this project. We are being asked to work with a well-established civil engineering firm to develop the project and signed an exclusivity agreement with the EA in January 2011. We aim to be generating electricity from the scheme by autumn 2016. Under our plans, the scheme will generate enough electricity to power 600 homes and save around 1000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Zac Goldsmith MP: “This is a hugely exciting local project, but it is also important nationally. Small-scale, decentralised clean energy is the future, and Ham is right at the cutting edge. Big congratulations to Ham Hydro for all the work they’ve done.”.