MassCEC approved the grants totaling more than $600,000. The awards includes design and construction grants for upgrades and repairs to two hydropower projects totaling the equivalent of about 1MW in capacity, and four feasibility studies for hydropower projects that will total the equivalent of more than 600kW in capacity if built.
The six grants go to public and private projects, including municipal water departments. The Commonwealth Hydropower Initiative is funded by MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund, which is funded by renewable energy charges on electric bills, generating roughly $24m a year to support renewable energy installations and companies throughout the commonwealth.
The two projects receiving design and construction grants are in Holyoke and Russell. Awards for the four feasibility studies go to projects in Pittsfield, Holyoke, West Springfield and Fitchburg. The grants were awarded to Woronoco Hydro, Holyoke Gas & Electric, A&D Hydro, City of Fitchburg Water Department, City of Holyoke Water Department, and City of Pittsfield.
Carter Wall, executive director of renewable energy division at MassCEC, said: “These projects are among the most cost effective kilowatts of renewable energy MassCEC supports. We are thrilled to see communities and organizations making efforts to reduce their use of fossil fuels.”
Following Commonwealth Solar and Commonwealth Wind – the first two MassCEC programs defined by technology type – Commonwealth Hydro is the name for MassCEC’s grant programs that support hydropower projects.
Commonwealth Hydropower offers grant funding for feasibility studies or design and construction activities for facility upgrades that result in incremental annual generation, and new or upgraded conduit installations.
