Audlem to get grant to assess hydro-electric power

The William Dean Trust has awarded Audlem the funds to pay for an initial assessment of the potential to generate electricity from the sluice gates that run next to the 15 locks on the Shropshire Union Canal.

Helped by the support of Congleton councillor Margaret Williamson, one of the trustees of the environmental trust (and who is also involved in the investigation of a hydro-electric scheme on the River Dane in Congleton), Audlem will receive £550 which will be used to pay DerwentHydro, a small company that specialises in small-scale schemes generating 1kwh to 300kwh.

Village representatives are meeting with British Waterways on Monday next week to discuss the prospects of a scheme on the canal and other local issues. Hearing that a grant is available will, hopefully, increase the chances of a scheme being investigated in detail and going ahead in the future if there is sufficient potential.

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