Minister praises work of weir energy group (From thisisoxfordshire)
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Minister praises work of weir energy group
9:30am Friday 8th March 2013 in News
A GOVERNMENT minister has praised a “trailblazing” hydro-electric scheme during a visit to Abingdon.
Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey yesterday took a tour around the town’s weir, along with Abingdon Green Gym and Carbon Cutters.
He spoke to members of community group Abingdon Hydro and heard about their plans to install two pumps to generate renewable energy.
The group withdrew its planning application after the Vale of White Horse District Council requested more detail, but hopes to submit in 2014.
They hope it will be funded through the community using a share offer.
Speaking at Abingdon’s Resource and Well-Being Centre Mr Davey told the volunteers: “This is trailblazing project and I hope there will be others like it around the country.”
Abingdon Hydro secretary Richard Riggs said: “It is good to have the minister visit because it raises our profile.”
