Funds milestone for community energy group

Members of a community energy group launched to install the turbine on the River Esk in the North York Moors National Park have announced that more than half of the money needed to complete the scheme has been raised.

The Esk Valley Community Energy Group launched a share issue to fund the small-scale turbine, known as an Archimedes screw, at Ruswarp, near Whitby.

More than £50,000 has so far been raised from individual investors.

Colin Mather, a retired civil engineer and the chairman of the community energy group, said: “The scheme offers a wonderful opportunity for people to do their bit to protect the environment while generating a new source of sustainable green energy.

“Individual investors have now contributed more than £50,000 of funding, however we still need more individuals to come forward.”

Planning permission has been given by the North York Moors National Park Authority, and a fish pass is due to be installed alongside the turbine to help to increase salmon and sea trout stocks in the River Esk.

Investors will be able to pay in as little as £250 to become members of the scheme, which could cut more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime.

It is hoped the plant will generate an average of 200,000kWh of energy annually.

The project is backed by the Co-operative Enterprise Hub, which provides business support to create enterprises across the UK.

A total of £240,000 in funding was secured before the launch of the share issue, which is due to close on September 18.

More information is available at www.whitbyeskenergy.org.uk, by emailing [email protected] or calling Mr Mather on 01287 669641.