Saski Huggins

Commissioning of the hydro is now underway.  Mann power are on site to test the wiring, check over the mechanics and programme the control panel. If you are passing by on the towpath you may occasionally see the screw turning as part of the process. Once commissioning is finished, the next step is for Scottish…

We are just days away from generating electricity at Osney Lock Hydro. The powerhouse is built, and now we are on to the final bits of electrical works and testing phase.  This will include testing the control panels, communications between the hydro and the new weirs, mechanics and overall electrics. The final test, the G59…

It was great to see champions of community energy recognised not once, but twice, in the recent New Year’s Honours list. Osney Lock Hydro’s very own Barbara Hammond, has just been made an MBE for services to the development of community energy especially in Oxfordshire. Peter Capener, cofounder and Chair of Bath and West Community Energy…

Powerhouse construction on track We are now quite a long way through the Turbine House build and expect it to finish in the next couple of weeks.Once this is completed, the next task is to put in the electrics. Solar PV roof As well as generating electricity from the hydro, we’ll also be building Solar…

We’re delighted to announce that the lease for the hydro site was finally signed by the Environment Agency, and Barbara and Saskya on behalf of Osney Lock Hydro on the 31st October.

Osney Lock Hydro is featured in this week’s episode of Costing the Earth on BBC Radio 4 in a programme focusing on the role of community energy. Barbara Hammond shares our 12 year journey from concept to construction.  She  gives a flavour of some of the many challenges we’ve faced along the way, and the…

Osney Lock Hydro is the first community-owned hydro electricity scheme to be built on the Thames. Built next to Osney Lock in the heart of Oxford, the scheme will start generating clean, green electricity this Autumn. As well as generating renewable energy, the Osney Lock Hydro (OLH) project is planning some exciting new things for…

After a lull over the summer months, the next phase of work is underway at Osney Lock Hydro.   The delay has been due to it taking longer than expected to finalise the terms of the lease for the site, rather than any issue with the installation of the screw. Rumours of the archimedean screw being…

Oxford Open Doors If you would like to learn more about the project and meet some of the volunteer team who have been working behind the scenes you might like to know we are taking part in Oxford Open Doors. As the site itself is not open we’ll be based in the Mary Town Room…

Held on the 4th June in the Boiler Room at the Old Jam Factory, our first ever Annual General Meeting was attended by more than 50 members. As part of our rules, a third of directors need to stand down each year, and the Board decided to do this alphabetically.  As a result Ruth Finar…

It’s here!  On Tuesday 25th March the screw was delivered from the Netherlands.  We held our breath as the 4.35m screw was lowered into place,  and at midday, the 4.35m-long, four-bladed Archimedean screw was installed. Despite being officially on holiday, we were delighted that Steve Naylor from the Environment Agency was there on the day and…

Tom Cosford, a final year student studying Geography at Oxford Brookes University, is currently writing a dissertation on the possible ecological consequences of small-scale hydropower schemes such as the one at Osney Lock, specifically the possible effects on fish.  He is particularly interested in learning about different views on this issue.  He has has prepared…