Teddington and Ham Hydro Co-operative Limited: decision on licence application
Published 11 September 2015
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2015
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Application details
Application number
NPS/WR/017825
Licence number
TH/039/0031/005
EA Area
West Thames
Date of application
Received as valid on 28 May 2015
Applicant details
Teddington and Ham Hydro Co-operative Limited
c/o SWLEN
ETNA Community Centre
13 Rosslyn Road
Twickenham
TW1 2AR
Summary of the proposal
This is an application for an impoundment licence at Teddington Weir on the River Thames. The existing weir structure will be altered to install 3 (4 blade) 4 metre diameter variable speed Archimedean screw turbines, a Larinier fish pass and brush furnished fish and eel pass. The alteration works are to enable power production and fish passage.
The proposed works will require the removal of radial gates numbers 18 and 19 which will be replaced with 3 screw turbines each with a maximum flow of 9.15 cubic metres per second (m³/s).
The brush furnished fish pass will be installed to replace Gate 1. The fish pass will be designed to take a flow of 600 litres per second and the intention is to provide sufficient flow to allow a variable hands-off level (HOL) when the scheme is at full take and the lock keeper takes control of river levels. This brush pass will also allow the upstream migration of eels.
The two existing Denil fish passes have been deemed inefficient and will be replaced with a 3 metre wide Larinier fish pass adjacent to the screw channel, designed to take a flow of 1.4 m³/s at Standard Head Water Level (SHWL) +4 inches.
The reserve flow has been agreed at 7.72 m³/s, which includes the flow for the two fish passes and bywash channel. The proposed HOL of SHWL +4 inches has been agreed and is equivalent to 4.4816 metres Above Ordnance Datum. The variable HOL constraint will allow the applicant to operate during high flows to a lower river level.
Name of inland water to be impounded
River Thames
Points of impoundment and quantities
Between National Grid References TQ 16998 71362 and TQ 16850 71482 Maximum turbine quantities: 27.45 m³/s (3 x 9.15 m³/s)
Manner and extent of impoundment
Alteration to the existing weir to include the installation of three 4 bladed Archimedean screw turbines of maximum 4 metres diameter each, a Larinier fish pass and brush furnished fish pass and any associated ancillary works.
Purpose of impounding works
Power production and fish passage.
Justification of quantities
The applicant intends to install three 4 bladed Archimedean screw turbines. The maximum flow requested has been calculated based on 330 days at 27.45 m³/s. The amount generated is equivalent to a CO² saving of approximately 1,500 tonnes.
Resource assessment
The proposed hydropower scheme is located within the Thames Catchment Abstraction Licensing Strategy area. Teddington Weir is situated at the tidal limit of the River Thames.
Resource assessments have not been carried out for the tidal Thames as the methodology is not suitable for such systems. In the tidal reaches, water may be available without seasonal or flow restrictions due to tidal replenishment. This is a non-consumptive use of water, with all water used within the hydropower scheme being returned immediately downstream.
Conclusion and recommendation
Full and due consideration has been given to any representations made, and due regard has been taken of protected rights and other lawful interests. The principles of sustainable development are embodied in the conditions attached to the licence. The conditions incorporated on the licence are considered to be necessary and reasonable in the light of the available and presented evidence. We therefore recommend approval of the application and issue of Licence number TH/039/0031/005 with the conditions as drafted.
Contact the Environment Agency team responsible for this decision