Omagh District Council has took the lead in a project to use the weir on the Camowen River, to generate electricity through a hydro turbine.

The project will complement the Council's initiatives to develop 'green' energy from renewable sources, including the installation of a biomass boiler at Omagh Leisure Complex. The revenue generated by the electricity from the hydro scheme will be contributed to a sustainability fund, which would become a resource to support other sustainability projects in the district.

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The Council has said it is very conscious of the importance of the Camowen River as a fishery, and of the concerns of anglers. Therefore, as part of the full review of the project the councils intends to consult with all interested parties, including the Loughs Agency and other fishery interests to provide reassurance and correct any misunderstanding about the project.

The turbine is expected to generate up to 680,000kWh of electricity valued at approximately £75,000, and could reduce carbon emissions by 292 tonnes annually, contributing to achieving the Council's target to achieve 12% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by the end of 2008.

The Council has commissioned a feasibility study and a financial appraisal of the project, and is now in the process of appointing the technical team to progress the project. Once the technical assessment has been completed, a recommendation will be brought to Council for approval.

(VB/JM)