Cumbria's biggest hydro-electric scheme nears completion

Cumbria's biggest hydro-electric scheme is nearing completion. The construction work stretches for almost a mile and a half across a mountainside just outside Ambleside.

When complete it will provide the equivalent of half the power needed by the village, around 1400 homes.

The force of the water flowing down Scandale Beck is being harnessed and will be turned into hydro-electric power when the £2.8 million project is opened next month. The company building the scheme, Ellergreen Hydro, has a rather unusual partner. A third of the money has come from the Carlisle Diocese of the Church of England.

Martin Jayne, the Chairman of the Carlisle Diocesan Finance Board, says:

Ellergreen Hydro is involved with more than 15 similar schemes around the Lake District. It says hydro electric power is becoming more and more popular in Cumbria and this scheme will also allow people to choose directly to make use of it.

Mark Cropper, the Managing Director, says:

At the moment the construction work has left a very obvious scar on the landscape, but the company says in 18 months it will be impossible to see that any work has taken place here.