The Congleton Hydro Community Share Offer scheme deadline has been extended to April 17th due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Dane Valley Community Energy is planning to install and operate a hydro-electric generation plant on the River Dane at Havannah Weir, Congleton.

Before the Coronavirus outbreak, the Share Offer scheme deadline was originally set for today (31st March).

However, the Congleton Hydro team posted on their Facebook page: "Given the current difficult times that have maybe focused most people's minds elsewhere and have somewhat dented our marketing visibility.

"All our in-person events have been cancelled but we are pleased that our online webinars have been well attended.

"We are very close to going ahead with the project but still need your help on getting this over the line."

As of yesterday (30th March), £500,000 had been raised of the £730,000 target.

In addition to the funds directly received in response to the Share Offer scheme, Congleton Hydro have been in discussions with The Community Shares Booster Programme.

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This is part of the Lottery Funded "Power to Change" initiative that helps organisations looking to support and enhance their local communities.

It aims to "Share Match" local community shares up to a max of £100,000.

If Congleton Hydro were successful with their application, it would mean they need just another £130,000 of investments to reach the target of £730,000.

Whilst £730,000 is the full cost of the scheme, some of these costs are back end loaded and if the group reaches £650,000, they are confident they will be able to start the work programme.

Their confidence is based on raising the remaining £80,000 from a number of grant programmes e.g. Regional Communities Energy Fund (this is the DEFRA organisation that originally kickstarted the project with a grant to cover the feasibility study, land purchase etc), and local organisations such as Congleton Inclosure Trust.

Applications to these and other funds are currently in process.

As mentioned in our last story whilst the main cluster of investors continues to be centred around Congleton and its surrounds, this innovative and exciting project continues to receive investments from all parts of the UK.

The weir, which has been in place for more than 250 years, will be re-used to generate energy from rainwater – making clean, renewable power that will have a positive impact on the environment.

Siemens Digital Industries, a major business in Congleton, has agreed to purchase the green electricity generated from the plant, helping to combat the climate emergency.

The minimum donation people can make to the project is £100, with the maximum being £70,000.

You can read more information about the Congleton hydro-electric scheme here.