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Hyrdro electric plant will power 250 homes
May 16, 2006
THE energy company behind a proposed "green" power station say it could cut the amount of pollution spouted from the dale.
Scottish Borders-based company, Northern Energy Developments, has submitted a planning application to build a hydro electric plant relying on the natural flow of the Balderhead Reservoir, Baldersdale, to produce renewable energy.
The company say the plant, which will cost £500,000 to build, could supply more than 250 homes in the upper dale with electricity generated from a natural source instead of a coal-fired power station.
Company director Rodney Potts said: "The plant will produce 250 kilowatts a day, if you consider that the average family uses 1 kilowatt a day then it will supply around 250 homes.
"We would hope that it would help reduce pollution that homes in the upper dale produce."
Mr Potts believes the plant, which has an expected life span of 50 years, is the way forward for energy production.
He said: "Green energy is definitely the way forward, we already have similar schemes operating in other reservoirs around the North East.
"The plant will be small-scale and utilise energy that's already there and going to waste.
"The electricity generated will go into the energy grid and be supplied to homes in the area."
If planning permission for the plant is granted next month, Northern Energy Developments say they could start supplying Teesdale homes with electricity by this time next year.