Newark MP Robert Jenrick visits hydro-electric power plant at Nether Weir to see it in action

A visit to the hydro-electric power plant at Nether Weir gave Newark MP Robert Jenrick the chance to see it in action and learn more about how it operates.

A single 70KW Archimedes screw turbine is used at the plant, turned by the force of the water running over the weir, which generates enough electricity to supply the average requirement of up to 175 homes.

The plant is connected to King’s Marina and supplies it with the electricity needed to run the business, such as lighting and the electric hook-ups for boaters.

Mr Jenrick, who is Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “It was fascinating to visit and learn about the Nether Hydro Scheme on the River Trent at Nether Weir with Phil Mulligan, regional director of the Canal and River Trust, seeing how a single 70KW Archimedes screw is generating the equivalent energy used by around 175 homes each year, providing electricity to the local King’s Marina and contributing towards the sustainability of a local business.”

The Canal and River Trust currently has 11 hydro sites around its network, which provides the equivalent to the energy used by 6,200 homes and offsets around 9,500 tonnes of CO2.

As well as the site in Newark there are also three other plants along the River Trent ­— at Cromwell, Hazelford and Gunthorpe ­— which together generate a further 2,300 KW a year.

When these plants are built special fish passes are also installed to ensure that fish and eel species can safely migrate around the waterway network.

Mr Mulligan said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome Robert to Nether Weir so he could see the new hydro-power plant in action.

“The scheme is a great demonstration of the crucial role that our waterways continue to play today and for many generations to come.

“As well as the visit to the hydro plant we also discussed the growing importance of the River Trent in providing local communities with a green, relaxing place to look after their physical and mental health.

“It was also an opportunity to highlight the invaluable contribution being made by local volunteers who help with lock keeping and caring for the river.

“All in all, it was a very positive visit and we hope that Robert enjoyed the chance to learn more about our work in the area.”