Project Summary
A detailed feasibility study, funded by the DESNZ Community Energy Fund (CEF), identified the best solution to generate 43kW peak power using the consistent flow of water from the Mendip Hills. The annual generation is projected at 205 MWh.
It is hoped that electricity generated will be bought at a preferable rate by local businesses and/or residential homes, and all profits will go to a fund for community projects in the local area.
Additionally, the project considered the feasibility of installing a small roof mounted solar PV array, and whether the hydro and solar could supply the first public EV chargers in Cheddar, adjacent to the site.
Background
For centuries the Cheddar Yeo, emerging from the Mendip Hills at Cheddar Caves in Somerset, has powered the village through a series of mills, 13 in the first half mile. However, these all fell silent around 100 years ago.
The last of these mill sites became Cox’s Mill Hotel. The hotel installed a hydro-powered electricity generator in 1923, replacing that again in 1957. In 2022 the disused hotel was demolished at which point the old 8kW 1957 turbine was revealed.
A community group began to explore the possibility of bringing hydropower back to Cheddar, and the Cheddar Community Partnership CIC stepped in to lead the project.
Our Role
The South West Net Zero Hub (SWNZH) awarded a £40,000 Stage 1 CEF grant to Cheddar Community Partnership to complete the detailed feasibility studies. The Hub supported the project throughout the Stage 1 process.
Location
The site of former Cox’s Mill Hotel, Cheddar, Somerset.
Technology / What Happened
Specialised engineering consultants were contracted to scope out the practical and technical work.
The option of two different turbine systems was explored: an Archimedes Screw, and a cross-flow turbine.
An initial ecological survey was carried out, suggesting there are no critical ecological issues for this project and that any impacts can be mitigated through appropriate design and specification
Results
The cross-flow turbine was identified as clearly the better solution for the following reasons:
- Lower cost
- More efficient/higher output,
- Smaller development footprint
- 40-year projected operational lifespan.
This solution should be able to generate 43kW peak power, and because the flow is so consistent from the Mendip Hills, the annual generation is projected at 205 MWh.
Additionally, the project aims to install a small PV array on the roof, and to have the system connected to supply the first public EV chargers in Cheddar, adjacent to the site.
Financing and ownership
The initial commercial model was largely dependent on finding a single neighbouring business capable of using the generated power. This remains possible but is not the only option.
An alternative option is the Energy Local approach (which the Cheddar team discovered at a SWNZH event). This would provide a viable revenue stream for community funding whilst supplying local homes and businesses virtually.
Benefits
The project is working towards providing clean energy, reduced energy bills, an educational resource, visitor attraction and a constant community fund of tens of thousands of pounds every year for the projected 40-year+ lifespan of the system, and maybe beyond, if it is renewed.
Subject to second round detailed exploration, the power generated could be sold to supply a significant proportion of the energy needs of a few hundred local businesses and/or residential homes. This would mean these consumers would purchase cheaper and wholly renewable energy.
It is also hoped to power new public EV chargers in the adjoining car park, the first in Cheddar.
These would effectively be powered by the water flowing beside them. For the community it could provide local off-street charging for those without drives.
Lessons learnt
The core team started with little experience in hydropower generation systems. The CEF funding allowed them to find an experienced specialised engineering consultancy to do the technical study.
The project cannot proceed without the support of South West Water (Bristol Water), who are responsible for the water flow, and landowners Longleat Enterprises Ltd. Engagement with key stakeholders at high level to ensure their support has therefore been vital.
Next Steps
Next steps will be to develop a detailed design, finalise the commercial model, actively explore major grant funding, and secure planning permission and other statutory consents.
This would then allow the third and final phase: building and commissioning the system, although this would of course be contingent on funding being raised.
Key Facts
| Client | Cheddar Community Partnership CIC |
| Strategic priority | -Reducing Carbon Emissions -Building Resilience in Communities -Lowering Energy Costs |
| Energy generation/saving | 205,281 kWh/year |
| Timeline | Stage 1 feasibility, started March 2025 and completed March 2026 |
| Carbon saving | 102,640 kg CO2e/year (projected) |
| Project value | £40,000 |