Weir electricity plans a step nearer

Shrewsbury's weir is a step closer to being used to harness electricity after council bosses announced they were inviting companies to submit expressions of interest.

Shropshire Council confirmed earlier this year it was considering generating power from the weir with one councillor welcoming the plans and calling on them to be incorporated into a wider scheme to make more use of the River Severn.

The council is now looking to grant a lease of land next to the weir to develop and deliver sustainable energy generation at the site and help the council reduce its carbon emissions.

The notice states: "The council does not wish to limit the potential opportunities at this stage but wishes to consider all ideas that can maximise the benefits for Shropshire."

Expressions of interest need to include an outline proposal showing potential timescales, required components and detail of the process for running the project.

Qualifications and accreditations relevant to the proposed use must also be submitted.

The notice states: "The council intends to evaluate all expressions of interest received and to select the proposal that it considers best meets its overall objectives before proceeding to further more detailed discussions."

Complete proposals and supporting information must be received by noon on June 4 both as a hard copy and on CD.

Councillor Maxwell Winchester, from Shropshire Council, said: "The council has been talking about doing this for some time and it has now gone out to tender."

To find out more e-mail Nick Taylor, assistant director for strategy and development at Shropshire Council, at nick.taylor@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone (01743) 252502.