Ham Hydro C.I.C.
Information about the project can still be found here as we will always be working closely with Ham United Group, however please check out our new website at www.hamhydro.org
The first project under development is the installation of hydro power turbines on the River Thames at Teddington Weir.
Our vision for this project is twofold:
- to generate clean electricity from the hydropower installation, thus reducing carbon emissions locally and nationally, and
- to use the income generated to promote and develop further low-carbon solutions in Ham and surrounding areas.
Who we are
In 2006, Ham residents formed Ham United Group (HUG) to improve the local environment, build community cohesion and raise ecological awareness. HUG is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is a member of Ham Hydro CIC (registration number: 07231031) to ensure HUG’s continuing connection with the hydro project.
The group quickly expanded and in 2007 became interested in developing a hydropower project at the nearest suitable location, Teddington Weir, which connects Ham with Teddington on the other side of the River Thames. In early 2009 the group then commissioned a local renewable energy consultancy, Thames Renewables, to produce a feasibility study for the project. This study demonstrated the clear viability of such a scheme and the steering group then decided to form Ham Hydro to take the project forward.
The CIC is a social enterprise which aims to harness the expertise and power of community to help to create a low-carbon economy. Any surpluses after debt or interest repayments will be used to develop further low-carbon solutions in Ham & Petersham, Teddington and in Richmond Borough as a whole.
The Ham Hydro project has been modelled along the lines of community-led hydro power projects developed elsewhere in the UK, such as the Torrs Hydro New Mills and the Settle Hydro schemes.
In early March 2010, the Environment Agency issued a call for expressions of interest to develop a hydro power scheme on Teddington Weir. Ham Hydro worked extremely hard to make a submission and was selected for the interview stage.
The Environment Agency told us in early August 2010 that we had been selected as the developer for this project. We are being asked to work with a well-established civil engineering firm to develop the project and signed an exclusivity agreement with the EA in January 2011. We aim to be generating electricity from the scheme by autumn 2012. Under our plans, the scheme will generate enough electricity to power 600 homes and save around 1000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
We have the backing of our local MPs, Zac Goldsmith and Vince Cable, as well as Richmond Council and a host of local groups and organisations.
Take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HamHydro01 to give us an idea of whether local people are interested in investing in the scheme.
Zac Goldsmith MP: “This is a hugely exciting local project, but it is also important nationally. Small-scale, decentralised clean energy is the future, and Ham is right at the cutting edge. Big congratulations to Ham Hydro for all the work they’ve done.”.
Vince Cable MP: “This is a really imaginative, practical initiative that will provide environmental benefits with community gain. Although the project has received clearance, in principle, from the Environment Agency there are still many issues around charges still to be worked out. But I am confident that organisers will be able to get this project moving. They have my full support.”
We will be raising capital through a share issue, to be announced shortly - so watch this space for further details. In addition, we are currently looking into a number of other renewable energy projects and we are hoping to link our projects with the delivery of the Low Carbon Zone.
Email: hamhydro@hamunitedgroup.org.uk
Chas Warlow introduces the first stage of Ham Hydro Project at Teddington Weir.
Chas and James Heather describe the second stage of the Project.
Recent media coverage:
Click to hear Mary Walsh and Chas Warlow interviewed aboout the project and community-led renewables on Resonance FM http://podcasts.resonancefm.com/archives/category/deep-fried-planet
The Ham Hydro team
Project Managers
James Heather: James has considerable experience as a business consultant and marketing manager in the fields of construction, hospitality and telecommunications. Within the construction sector James has worked at both the supply and build ends of the market leading to a detailed understanding of the whole delivery process of multi-million pound capital projects. He has held national responsibility for growing major accounts and developing long-term supplier agreements, in particular in connection with 2012 Olympic delivery. He has also worked for a construction firm with a £1 billion turnover with responsibilities including managing the tender process.
Chas Warlow: Chas has an MSc in Sustainability & Management (with distinction) from the University of London. He has a background in running successful not-for-profit organisations in the environmental sector and the arts, both in the UK and abroad. He has written articles and reviews for a number of publications, including the environmentalist (the flagship magazine for the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment). He is a school governor and also a director of HUG.
Technical Directors
Paul Parker: Paul is the Managing Director of Sustainia, a sustainability and carbon management consultancy. He was involved in project delivery for a small-scale hydropower project for the London Wildlife Trust, has worked for Bill Dunster, founder of the BedZed zero-carbon housing development, and has managed a host of low-carbon projects for businesses, schools and communities. He has an MSc in Architecture - Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies (distinction) and is a qualified Low Carbon Energy Assessor and solar thermal installer.
Gerhard Mueller has 16 years’ experience in sales, marketing, business development and strategic leadership within automotive, pharmaceutical as well as market information and consulting companies. Gerhard has worked for Merck, BMW and Siemens Automotive and has a keen interest in new technology and markets. Gerhard holds a BA (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Regensburg, Germany.
Environmental management is the responsibility of Alex Beckett, an Energy Consultant with an MSc in Environmental Management from Cranfield University. He became a member of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment in 2004. A dedicated environmental sustainability professional, he has delivered projects across a wide range of sectors including waste, environmental business, food sustainability, electric vehicles, air pollution reduction, tree planning and energy reduction. He has provided services to organisations such as Ealing Council, LSx, Hyder Consulting and the Creative Environmental Network.
Legal, regulatory and governance matters are managed by Mary Walsh, a solicitor with ten years’ experience working on a range of energy projects in the UK and abroad. Her particular expertise lies in advising clients on all aspects of their project development and project financing needs – from joint venture arrangements, contractual negotiations, loans and security, as well as dealing with corporate, regulatory and governance matters. She has experience in hydro, solar and onshore and offshore wind projects. Her clients range from small charities to large utility companies. Mary has also been a Climate Advocate for the British Council in 2009/10 and represented the British Council at the COP 15 negotiations in Copenhagen.
External communications and community engagement is the responsibility of Peter Rixon, a journalist and member of the Corporate Social Responsibility board of a FTSE 100 company. Peter has been a journalist for 18 years. He has for many years been engaged in grass-roots environmental action and chairs HUG. We firmly believe that the development of a hydropower project on Teddington Lock should benefit the community – we wish to involve the community at every level of the process and believe Peter’s role will be integral to this.
Organisational policy management: Jean Loveland has wide experience in the travel and events management sector, working for major travel agencies for many years, organising conferences, VIP travel and special interest tours, with an emphasis on eco-tourism. She has many years' experience of personnel management and related human resources skills, marketing, negotiation and management. She is also a founding member of HUG and has a deep commitment to enhancing the local environment, combating climate change, regenerating the local economy and building community in Ham & Petersham.
Ham Hydro is collaborating on this proposal with Brendan Barrow, of BSpoke eWaterpower, who is acting as lead design consultant. Brendan has verified our design specifications and yield calculations and has played a central role in project planning.
