Boost for Whitby volunteers as water-power pays back in full
A locally-run energy scheme in the Esk Valley has marked a major milestone – thanks to the power of water.
The team of volunteers behind local initiative Whitby Esk Energy is celebrating after paying off a founding loan of £180,000 from the North York Moors National Park Authority.
The project has now produced enough energy not only to pay back its loan but also to pay for some of the work which has so far been covered by volunteers.
Whitby Esk Energy uses a ‘fish friendly’ turbine to create electricity from the flow of the River Esk at Ruswarp.
The 12-tonne turbine, known as an Archimedes’ screw, began turning in 2012 and creates income for local environmental work by selling its power to the National Grid.
Rory Newman, chair of Whitby Esk Energy, said: “Paying off this loan is such a boost for the whole team – it proves the concept and has given us confidence for the future of community energy.
“I originally discovered the project on a tour and started working on it as a volunteer. I love the community aspect of it, and you learn so much about energy here.”
The story of Whitby Esk Energy began in 2008 with an application for planning permission from the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority.
Because the River Esk is in the national park, the authority became a key partner.
According to Mike Ford, a director since the start of the project, it was a five-year process to gain abstraction licences from the Environment Agency and raise cash to start the project.
“The community aspect and the teamwork was absolutely crucial, especially in the early days,” he said.
“We had to work very closely and carefully with the angling community here. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye at the beginning but I think most anglers now realise how important sustainable energy is.
"Warming seas and rivers are not good for the trout that live here and swim along this river.
“Our fish pass works brilliantly and means we don’t disturb the passage of these important fish which has been proven by monitoring from the Environment Agency.”
Tom Stephenson, head of climate change at the North York Moors National Park Authority, paid tribute to the collaborative hard work of the Whitby Esk Energy team in both paying off the loan and showing a way forward for locally-produced power.
He said: “We’re very much in support of green energy projects that sit in harmony with nature, and it’s critical that communities champion these kinds of initiatives if we’re to meet the region’s ambitious climate targets.”
Newman added that he would like to see more hydro-electric projects around the country.