RENEWAT
Renewable Energies in European Water Mills
Project summary
European rivers are rich with historical hydraulic structures, but over the years many of them have fallen out of use or have not been properly maintained. Recent European research has uncovered approximately 65,000 potential sites for small-scale hydropower production, including 27,000 water mills. Over time many local mill owners have shown interest in renovating their sites for micro hydropower production, but they often face significant administrative obstacles.
To address these challenges, our project brings together 9 partners from 8 different countries (France, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Albania, Ukraine) to share knowledge and experiences in renewable energy projects regarding existing watermills, and potentially implementing pilot actions.
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What will this project change
RENEWAT aims to upskill local and regional actors about watermills repowering, allowing this renewable energy to be well supported in their policies amongst the energy mix.
The partners will explore topics such as technical skills, administrative processes, and financial models. Aiming to focus on the renovation of a historical heritage that combines several potentials in the energy, environment, economic, social, and cultural fields. Indeed, watermills offer a local source of renewable energy and represent an important part of our historical heritage that can stimulate the local economy.
RENEWAT partners will improve 6 policy instruments, all serving a complementary approach for the repowering of existing water mills.