The journey so far

A group of local people decide, in response to the climate emergency declaration, to investigate the hydropower potential on The River Great Ouse as a Community Energy project.

Support secured from St Neots Town Council.

Waterside Green Energy constituted as a Charitable Community Benefit Society serving the constituency of Huntingdonshire.

Support received for Little Paxton Parish Council and local people to conduct investigation of site.

£5,000 start up grant from St Neots Town Council.

£40,000 grant from the Rural Communities Energy Fund (RCEF)to conduct Feasibility Study on the Mill Lane site.

Hydroplan Ltd won bid and contracted to conduct Preliminary Site Assessment and Feasibility Study.

£1,000 grant from Cooperative Bank Community Fund for educational purposes.

WGE’s first AGM. New Board elected. Chairman reported on progress to date and optimism for the future.

Public consultation showed local support and no objections.

Grant of £4,900 received from SNTC for public consultation materials and events and website. Materials for public consultations and launch events including a new website.

Feasibility Study Report shows site can house a hydroturbine installation which can be financed with support.

Further major grant applied for.

£100,000 grant received from RCEF.

Research project set up with Eastern New Energy looking into onsite storage and local distribution.

Support secured from Jonathon Djanogly, MP for Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire Count Council; The Combined Authority of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District Council.

Starting working with experts on the details and costings for the hydropower installation.

Launching new website.

Grant of £50 from Quakers.

Cambridgeshire County Council formally adopted a Community Energy Policy. Under this policy the council defined ways it wants to work with local community organisations to ensure community driven renewable energy projects are supported. We have endorsed their timely commitment and have approached those responsible to find out how it will apply to us.