The Sandford hydroelectric plant uses three Archimedes screws (similar to the one currently in operation at Osney Lock Hydro) to generate electricity from the flow of the river water.

Sandford Hydro has an installed capacity of 485kW and the potential to power over 500 households each year, or most of Sandford!

Investors in Sandford Lock Hydro have helped return the Lasher Weir on the Thames to its historic role as a provider of clean energy.

The hydro site has been through rigorous ecosystem surveys to ensure it has minimal impact on the local wildlife, such as trees, shrubs, birds and bats. It’s even beneficial for wildlife and biodiversity in the area, through the installation of a fish pass in the river. This is a system designed to encourage all the species in the river to travel upstream – the first time in 400 years this will have been possible.

Upgrades at Sandford Hydro

Across Summer and Autumn 2024, we carried out a range of other upgrades at Sandford Hydro, including:

• Turbine house improvements, including a new roof and the installation of solar panels. The panels not only generate clean electricity, but also help prevent the turbine house from overheating by soaking up the sun’s rays.
• Solar panels over the turbine blades, which helps reduce algae growth on the Archimedes screws. This minimised the need for cleaning and helps maintain the efficiency of the plant.
• New technology to reverse the Archimedes screws,  allowing us to remove debris such as logs, branches and other waste that accumulates in the river. Clearing this buildup is essential to keeping the screws working as they should. 

• A compost toilet installed on site for people working there.  
• Various electrical and health and safety upgrades completed throughout the site.

How Sandford Hydro was built

Sandford Hydro was a long labour of love from the local community. Community members directed the project tirelessly from its conception all the way through to setting up as a Sandford Hydro Community Interest Company. As the project grew, Sandford Hydro CIC decided to team up with Low Carbon Hub and hand over the planning and development to us. We were really excited to work with such a committed community to help see their vision through to the end.

Sandford Hydro was part of a community share offer, which means that members of the community and local residents own part of this amazing hydro system. The funds from the electricity generated will give a return to people who have invested in the hydro, as well as funding future community energy initiatives through Low Carbon Hub’s community benefit programme.

The Hydro was fully commissioned in August 2017.

Many thanks to all who have played a part over the years in getting Sandford Hydro up and running; it is so satisfying to watch the screws in action and think of all that energy being harvested from the river.

LIZ SHATFORD

Sandford Hydro CIC