Update on project – August 2012

The last few months have been busy – liaising with the contractor on site, arranging the grid connection and agreeing the fish monitoring programme with the Environment Agency, National Park Authority and the River Esk Action Committee.

If you have been following the progress of the construction through our website www.whitbyeskenergy.org.uk you will know that the upgrading of the fish pass has been completed.  Work has now started on preparing the site for the arrival of the Archimedes screw turbine.  Once we know the date for the arrival of the turbine on site we will let you know; it is likely to be a sight worth seeing.

A primary objective of the Ruswarp hydropower installation has always been to support community carbon reduction in the Esk Valley (producing “green energy” and investing in further carbon reducing projects and education schemes).  However, as shareholders, the Directors of Esk Energy (Yorkshire) Limited would like to inform you of an issue that has arisen which may affect the financial return on the project.  This means the target share interest will now be 3% from year 6 and 5% from year 9.

We had previously anticipated average generation of 190,000 kWh per year but we now understand that it is likely to be in the region of 160,000 kWh per year.  The reasons for this change concern flow rate figures on the project.

The need to maintain flow rates over the fish passes, determined by the Environment Agency, is vital in preventing deterioration in ecological habitats.  A misunderstanding between parties involved in the project on the flow rate figures has directly affected the forecasted generation.

The contractor is working with us to find ways to minimise the impact of these changes in flow rate on the projected financial return and we should be in a position to present our revised financial plan at Esk Energy’s AGM on the 8th September.

Details of the AGM will follow in the next few weeks.

Thank you for your continued support in the project.

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