Before we found coal and gas Britain was once reliant on technologies that were totally renewable. Across the UK mills were installed next to running water and the power of running water was used to turn the mills and grind the corn. In areas of the UK that are close to rivers and particularly water falls, small scale hydro is a great use of 'old' fashioned renewable technology that uses the flow of the water to turn the turbines and make electricity. In Cumbria, Church Beck, the river above Coniston has been used as a source of water power for many years; a water intake just upstream of Miners' Bridge was used for hydro-electric installations to provide power for Coniston from 1932 to the mid 1950's, and as early as the1890's a private hydro scheme was in operation.

In 2003 Coniston Hydro Electric Power Co Ltd was formed and the pipeline was eventually built in 2006.

Sue Hext, Director at the company says 'green energy uk was recommended to us by another hydro generators. We are delighted that we are able to harness the power of running water above Coniston and sell it onto green energy uk'

The site sells its electricity to green energy uk and is linked to the National Grid, and provides renewable energy for around 260 – 300 houses.