Pershore Hydroelectric Plant
Pershore Hydro
Clean and renewable power
Our Pershore Hydroelectric Plant has been generating renewable electricity since August 2014. The project is situated on the Wyke Manor Estate on the River Avon in Worcestershire. The power generated supplies Pershore Leisure Centre on the opposite bank of the river.
A personal project
Charles Hudson developed the scheme personally. He is very interested in renewable energy and believes it to be key to our sustainable future. Consequently, his desire was to build a project which would have benefits for local people and wildlife. In addition, he was keen to address the flooding problem that we have farming alongside the River Avon. After the devastating floods of 1998 and 2007, Charles wanted to see if we could use water in a more proactive way. Pershore Weir offered us the perfect opportunity to harness the power of the water.
How it works
The natural flow of the river drives the two eight-metre long Archimedes screw turbines. They will generate enough electricity to power 211 average UK homes per year! However, due to the convenient positioning of the plant opposite Pershore Leisure Centre, the energy goes directly there. As a result, the town benefits from cheaper, cleaner, greener energy. Any surplus goes into the national grid.
Award winning design
We were delighted to be recognised nationally as the Best Hydro Scheme at the 2016 Energy Now honours! In addition, the Institution Of Civil Engineers chose us as the overall winner 2015 in its outstanding projects category. We are very proud of our award-winning project. But above all, we are delighted by how it has positively reshaped the river bank. The new leat has created a wonderful area for wildlife. We’ve even spotted an otter swimming in the water! In addition, the local community canoeists have also benefited from this new area as a calm training ground. Moreover, the design includes a canoe pass. Consequently, paddlers (and migrating fish) have a fun shute past the turbines.
As farmers we sometimes pray for rain, and sometimes dread it. But we have found that the hydro scheme has certainly given us a new outlook on a rainy day!
A personal project
Charles Hudson developed the scheme personally. He is very interested in renewable energy and believes it to be key to our sustainable future. Consequently, his desire was to build a project which would have benefits for local people and wildlife. In addition, he was keen to address the flooding problem that we have farming alongside the River Avon. After the devastating floods of 1998 and 2007, Charles wanted to see if we could use water in a more proactive way. Pershore Weir offered us the perfect opportunity to harness the immense power of water.
How it works
The natural flow of the river drives the two eight-metre long Archimedes screw turbines. They will generate enough electricity to power 211 average UK homes per year! However, due to the convenient positioning of the plant opposite Pershore Leisure Centre, the energy goes directly there. As a result, the town benefits from cheaper, cleaner, greener energy. Any surplus goes into the national grid.
Award winning design
We were delighted to be recognised nationally as the Best Hydro Scheme at the 2016 Energy Now honours! And also by the Institution Of Civil Engineers as the overall winner 2015 in its outstanding projects category. We are very proud of our award-winning project. Above all, we are delighted by how it has positively reshaped the river bank. The new leat has created a wonderful area for wildlife. We’ve even spotted an otter swimming in the water! In addition, the local community canoeists have also benefited from this new area as a calm training ground. Moreover, the design includes a canoe pass. Consequently both paddlers and migrating fish have a safe route past the turbines.
As farmers we sometimes pray for rain, and sometimes dread it. Having the hydro scheme has certainly given us a new outlook on a rainy day!