Dunne switches on Ludlow Hydro scheme

Ludlow’s MP Philip Dunne was on hand for the official switch on of Ludlow Hydro Cooperative’s hydro-electric generator last Friday, as it begins to generate power from the natural flow of the River Teme past the Horseshoe Weir at Ludford.

Using an Archimedes screw, which will allow fish to pass through safely, the scheme will generate enough electricity to supply about 40 households. Around 100 people, including members of the co-operative, local residents and others who had helped design and construct this renewable energy project turned up to see the scheme switched on.

Mr Dunne said: “As a member of the co-operative myself, I was very pleased to switch on Ludlow’s latest renewable energy scheme, not least because I have for some time called for more energy to be harnessed from our local rivers.

Horseshoe Weir is one of the most sensitive heritage assets within the historic town of Ludlow, so it has been a huge achievement to introduce a 21st Century energy generation scheme without spoiling the aspect of the weir or its impact in the river.

The UK renewable energy market has developed markedly over the past decade, with renewable electricity capacity in the UK trebling since 2010. Renewable schemes like Ludlow Hydro, with the consent and support of the local community, will play an increasingly important role in delivering energy in the UK as older, less clean sources of electricity come offline.”