The revised scheme was given the go-ahead by the council at its committee meeting where councilors voted unanimously in favor of the proposal. New technology from South Southeast Power Engineering which npower renewables will use is expected to help the installation generate more clean power than the original design.
The construction will take place in 2009, and the hydroelectric project will become operational in late 2009. 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 is expected to generate around 1.4 million kWh of clean electricity each year, and will contribute towards meeting the British government’s targets of achieving 15% of the UK’s electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2015.
It is anticipated 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.
