Romney Weir hydroelectric scheme - borough welcomes application

The Royal Borough has this week welcomed a planning application for an innovative hydroelectric scheme at Romney Weir on the Thames near Windsor.

The application – from npower renewables – aims to provide a scheme which would generate power equivalent to the annual needs of around 300 households using a new design believed to be the first of its kind in the south of England.

Renewable energy would be generated at the weir – next to the bank at Romney Island, between Windsor and Eton - using two hydrodynamic screw turbines to extract energy from the flowing waters and convert it to carbon-free electricity.  It is anticipated that the installation would be connected to Windsor Castle.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and housing, said: "We welcome this application from npower renewables which reflects the council's ongoing commitment to carbon-neutral and highly-sustainable schemes.

"If this project is given the go-ahead we will work with the Environment Agency who own Romney Weir to consider opportunities which could be provided by this scheme in the future.

"However it is important to stress that this application has to go through all the planning processes relevant to any scheme of this nature."

A previous scheme from npower renewables for the weir was granted planning permission in 2004 but rising costs meant the project was put on hold. 

The current revised design is likely to be considered by the Windsor development control panel at its meeting on July 9.  If approved, the scheme would be constructed during 2009 and operational before the end of the same year.

Further information about the project can be found at www.npower-renewables.com/romneyweir.