Tutbury Hydro Electric Project Group

A Mini hydro-electric power plant generating £20,000 worth of electricity a year could be set up in a village after a study proved it would be technically possible. The aim is to use the area's industrial heritage to create an environmentally-friendly source of power. By clearing Mill Fleam – a man-made watercourse from the River Dove, once used to power Tutbury Mill – the group hopes to harness water power to create electricity. This would then be sold to local customers through the national grid, with the money being put back into the local community.
Project chairman Steve Rhodes said: "Since Tutbury Mill closed in 1968 and was demolished, the Mill Fleam has become very blocked. In summer, it is down to just a trickle. The primary objective is to get the watercourse flowing again, which will really benefit the local environment. "At the same time, we would like to use the water to create an environmentally-friendly source of power."

The recent feesibility study, paid for with donations from Trent and Dove Housing Association, Tutbury Parish Council and Tutbury Civic Society, has shown that the plant could generate as much as £20,000 worth of electricity per year.

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email: tutbury-hydro@live.co.uk