Reading Hydro electric project close to completion
Nearly six years in the planning the hydro electric plant near Reading Bridge will soon undergo final testing before going live
Last updated 3rd Jun 2021
A community hydro-electric project in the heart of Reading is close to completion.
Two giant turbines have been installed next to the weir by Caversham Lock with local people buying shares to fund the 1.1 million pound cost.
Each turbine will generate 23Kw of electricity and depending on the flow of the river can function 24/7 365 days a year.
Final testing will take place in the coming weeks and it should be generating electricity by July.
The project has been funded by local investors who will receive a return on their investment within twenty years of around 3%. Any surplus will then go to local 'green' charities.
Reading Hydro Director Tony Cowling says the support from local people has been fantastic:
"About six weeks ago we had to raise an extra £170,000 which was slightly embarrassing. I'm hoping we don't need it all, but we put that offer out on a Sunday night by Wednesday we had £130,000 by the Friday we had £213,000 and had to give some money back!"
The electricity generated by the river will go to the nearby Thames Lido and any excess will be sold to the national grid.
Once finished the plant will be available for education purposes with school visits, information boards, and lectures about sustainable energy being planned.
A fish pass has also been constructed to help fish heading up stream by-pass the turbines safely.
The upturned brushes enable fish including eels to rest as they head up the river.
The entire project has been driven by volunteers with only one person, a project manager, being employed.
A mural on the side of the turbine house says 'This energy is - by the people, for the people'.
Tony adds "If it ever gets sold the money can't go to Reading Hydro it has to go to the local community, so the entire value of the project which is just over a million pounds is there for the people of Reading and it will be applied for their betterment and their good in the future, so I like that as a legacy to leave something behind. "