Tutbury Eco Power (TEP)  is a group of local residents who aim to install a hydro-electric scheme  on a weir. The  generated electricity will be sold  to customers via the National Grid. Net Revenues will be used  to  benefit  the local community and the upkeep of a historic Mill Fleam.
 
How Far Have We Got?
Since its formation in January 2009, TEP has  come a long way using its own initiative and skills from within, and also from the committed support of the Tutbury Residents Association, Parish, East Stafforshire Borough and Stafforshire County Councils, Trent & Dove Housing Association, E.ON Central Networks, Marches Energy Agency, Midlands Co-op, Community Shares and other agencies and local groups. Since its official launch on 24 February 2010, TEP continues to develop having recently completed a viability study on three local weirs and setting up of a formal community driven organisation to develop and thereafter run the project.

A Brief Run-down on the technology to be used
TEP has partnered with Water Power Enterprises (H2OPE) to oversee the planning, design and delivery. H20PE have successfully project managed and commissioned other very similar projects. The power is provided via a large and very efficient Archimedean screw that rotates as the water flows down it which turns an electrical generator and  fed to the National Grid. There is already a local business  which is  interested in buying the electricity generated.
 
Where to next?
TEP will develop a Low Carbon Community and progress the Hydro Project with an aim being to generate electricity from water sources near Tutbury. Partnerships will be developed between TEP,  local government agencies, businesses and the community. With the setting up of the Industrial & Provident Society (IPS) in the near future, TEP will soon be seeking to engage with individual investors to become TEP shareholders in Q1/2011. Net Revenues, over the 40 year lifespan of the generating plant, will be returned back to the local community for other local good causes. 

The Tutbury Eco-Power managing director, Greg Finney, says: “Tutbury has a historic, man-made water course running through it that once powered the local cotton and gypsum factories and it is just crying out for a modern hydropower plant.

“Turning what is now a weed-choked trickle back into a clean green flow is a challenge that has attracted a diverse group of volunteers from the village.” Mr Finney adds: “Being recognised and acknowledged for our efforts at national level gives us great confidence that our project represents a sound ecological and financial investment for the local community.” The founder of the project says the project was a pioneering piece of technology. Steve Rhodes, who is also the chairman of the group, says: “This is an exciting project which has captured the imagination of the whole community and is bringing people and organisations together.
“It will also be the flagship for our future aspirations to be a low-carbon community.”

For more information about the project visit www.tutburyecopower.co.uk.