Harnessing weirs

[kenneal - lagger]

I went to a seminar in Henley on small scale hydro projects on the Thames. It seems that the Environment Agency have been embarrassed into supporting renewable energy now that Archimedes screw turbines have been shown not to damage fish and to allow their transit up and down river.

They are not going to allow "uncontrolled" development, however, and want to see one or two trial turbines installed before they entertain any more. There will be the one at Windsor for HM and one at Goring/Streatley. They are only looking at the Thames at the moment as they think that the flow there will provide an economic return.

There are several groups along the Kennet who would like to install turbines at existing mill sites but it seems that they will have to fight the EA all the way. They can't lose control of the environment: God knows what would happen!!