Green Light for
Romney Weir Hydroelectric Project

Computergenerated image showing how the completed project would look.

The revised scheme was given the go-ahead by the Council last night at its committee meeting where councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal. New technology from South Southeast Power Engineering which npower renewables will use, means the installation will generate more clean power than the original design.

The construction will take place in 2009, so the hydroelectric project will become operational later next year. Romney Weir, which is located adjacent to the bank of Romney Island, between Windsor and Eton, is owned and operated by the Environment Agency. The project will generate around 1.4 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year, and contribute towards meeting the Government's targets of achieving 15% of UK electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2015. It is hoped that the electricity generated at Romney Weir will provide power to Windsor Castle, although npower renewables is currently still discussing this aspect of the scheme with the Royal Household.

Managing Director of npower renewables, Paul Cowling, said, "This is great news and we would like to thank the councillors for giving us unanimous support, and also the Environment Agency, without whom this scheme would obviously not be possible."

Ian Tomes, Hydropower Manager at the Environment Agency, said, "I am delighted that this project has been approved, and that we've been able to help npower renewables develop a scheme that generates renewable energy on our weir at Romney."