Following a recent meeting with the Environment Agency, the Thames Anglers Conservancy can now reveal the full extent of the proposed Hydropower Installations along the River Thames. The expression of interest for Sunbury, Boveney and Boulters weirs expired in July and now the full details have been made available.

The TAC are actively objecting to all Thames Hydropower schemes on the basis that no evidence is available as to the effect they will have on the ecology of our weir pools. We have called for evidence to be produced from long term monitoring and analysis of the first scheme at Romney, before any further schemes be considered. The cumulative effect of Hydropower installations removing energy from the river coupled with high levels of Abstraction, may have serious long term consequences for the Thames.

Weirpools are unique habitats, not only as an angling resource, but as principal spawning sites for fish such as Barbel, Chub and Dace along with being habitat for a vast number of invertebrates including potentially rare and protected species.

For more information on each visit Anglers and Hydropower

The full list of proposals:

Teddington
Location Teddington Weir
Operational Date 2012
Development details
Three 4.0m diameter Archimedes screws, mounted on the weir structure. The maximum output is 532 kW.

Sunbury Weir
Location Sunbury Weir, Sunbury
Operational Date 2012
Development details
Three 3.4m diameter Archimedes screws, in new channels through the island or on the weir. The maximum power output is 225 kW.

Bell Weir
Location Bell Weir, Egham
Operational Date 2012
Development details
Two 4m diameter Archimedes screws mounted in a new channel on private land. There is 115 kW maximum power output. 

Romney Weir
Location Romney Weir, Windsor
Operational Date Autumn 2011
Development details
Two 4m diameter Archimedes screws, mounted on the weir structure. There is 300 kW maximum power output.

Boveney Weir
Location Boveney Weir, Windsor
Initial proposal on hold. Low head may result in non viability of sustainable scheme. 

Boulter's Weir
Location Boulter's Weir, Maidenhead
Operational Date 2013
Development details
Initial proposal for up to four 3.5m diameter Archimedes screws to be mounted on the weir structure. There is 530 kW maximum power output.

Marlow Weir
Location Marlow Weir, Marlow
Operational Date 2013
Development details
Initial proposal for up to four 3.5m diameter Archimedes screws to be mounted on the weir structure. There is 530 kW maximum power output.

Goring Weir
Location Goring Weir, Goring
Operational Date 2012
Development details
Three 3.5m diameter Archimedes screws, mounted on the weir. There is 234 kW maximum power output.

Osney Weir
Location Osney Weir, Oxford
Operational Date 2012
Development details
One three metre diameter Archimedes screw, mounted in a new channel. There is a maximum output of 48 kW.