​Osney Lock Hydro, the first community-owned hydroelectric plant on the River Thames, has been generating clean electricity in Oxford for a decade. Since 2014, the small-scale renewable energy site has generated an average of 165 megawatt hours each year, supplying enough electricity to meet the needs of around 60 homes. A rooftop solar array contributes a further 8 megawatt hours annually.

Built beside Osney Lock, the facility is owned by West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCoRe), a community benefit society managed by local volunteers. Most of the £690,000 construction cost was raised from residents through community share offers.

The electricity produced is used locally, powering the Environment Agency's depot next to the river and homes on Osney Island. A specially designed fish pass has improved river connectivity, allowing fish to move freely through this stretch of the Thames for the first time in two centuries.

Designed with wildlife in mind, the site also includes a garden with native hedging, a wildflower area and plants selected to support bees and other pollinators. Members of the public can visit from Friday to Sunday, where on-site displays explain how the hydro system works.

The powerhouse and surrounding landscape were designed by architect David Hammond, who played a central role in bringing the project to life. He passed away in 2023 and is remembered with a bench made of oak placed at the site. His partner Barbara Hammond, one of the original directors, continues to support the project.

Alongside the hydro, WOCoRe manages solar panel installations on a school, supermarket and conference centre in Oxford. Income from these renewable systems helps fund local environmental projects, from reducing carbon emissions to supporting nature recovery. The organisation's work is guided by its aim to deliver long-term community and environmental benefit.