Turbine plans for Mirfield

Outline plans by hydro-electric company Yorkshire Hydropower were put forward at a meeting of Mirfield Town Council last night which, if accepted, would put a turbine with a two-metre diameter in the River Calder, near the Ship Inn off Steanard Lane.

Mark Simon, director of the company, told the meeting: “Making sure this is done right is hard, as we don’t want anyone messing with our rivers without very good reason – but I am confident we can get up and running.”

The turbine, expected to cost around £900,000, would produce 550,000 units of electricity per year, enough to power between 150 and 180 homes.

Mr Simon added: “At the end of this we will have something that will take a small part of Mirfield out of the grid forever.

“These things don’t wear out and it will be cash flow-positive forever.”

He also added that, as plans for the turbine show it is underground and covered by a structure, it would generate minimal noise, and measures would me made to make sure wildlife would not be affected.

The land at the back of the Ship Inn is currently owned by pub company Grene King, and Mr Simon suggested talks with them had been positive.

Planshave been submitted to Kirklees Council, and a decision is expected to be made by councillors soon. Mr Simon said he hopes work will be able to start “after November 5” this year.