EA 'searcing for developers to harness sustainable power'

The Environment Agency is searching for developers to harness power from the Thames, it has announced.

Organisations are wanted to construct and operate sustainable hydropower schemes on three of its weirs.

Bell near Egham, Sunbury and Teddington have all been identified as locations where there is good potential for power generation.

Tim Reeder, Thames region climate change programme manager for the Environment Agency, commented: "[We are] keen to ensure hydropower fulfils its potential as a small but useful renewable energy source, while protecting the environment."

By offering these sites for development, the organisation is hopeful that it can help to facilitate the delivery of a number of pilot projects.

In related news, the government recently announced details of a Marine Energy Action Plan, which could help to generate enough power for up to 15 million homes by 2050 through utilising the power of the sea.

Written by Joseph Hutton