Micro-hydro project has returned over £1 million to a local community

Harlaw Hydro, a community-owned micro-hydro scheme near Balerno opened in 2015, has generated over £1 million in revenue and uses proceeds to fund local projects including community centre upgrades and the conversion of a former police station into a nursery.

Harlaw Hydro is a community-owned micro-hydro installation on the Water of Leith near Balerno, on Edinburgh’s outskirts. The scheme opened in 2015 and sells its electricity to the grid rather than to private shareholders. Revenues have been directed back into local facilities and community projects rather than private profit. Volunteers, many retired, help run the project and telemetry from the scheme is used for educational purposes. Key facts: - The project has generated over £1 million in revenue since it opened. - Peak generating capacity is 85 kW, roughly enough for about 177 houses. - In 2024/25 the scheme added about 290,000 kWh to the grid, equivalent to supplying around 107 households. - Over the past decade £439,000 has gone to local causes, £153,000 has been paid to shareholders as interest, and £104,000 has been used to repay loans. - The community formed a Community Benefit Society and raised about £400,000 at a 2013 public meeting; the minimum initial investment was £250. - Proceeds have funded upgrades to the community centre, renewable installations (solar panels, battery backup, LED lighting and air source heating), and the community has bought a former police station to convert into a nursery due to open in the summer. Summary: The scheme has provided a sustained source of income that has been used to improve local facilities and pay down liabilities while also returning interest to investors. The community is now progressing refurbishment of the former police station for a nursery, and organisers note that policy support and external expertise have been important in making the project viable.