A LONG-AWAITED hydro electric scheme in Oxford has been further delayed.
The Osney Lock Hydro project team had hoped to start generating electricity by Christmas but construction work has finished for the festive break.
The £650,000 turbine, paid for by local investment, will generate 179,000 kwh a year – enough energy to power 50 homes.
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A power house – built on the site to enclose a 11.5 tonne steel turbine Archimedes screw, installed in March – will be fitted with solar panels.
The Environment Agency, which is over-seeing the works, has now said the project should be finished next month.
A spokeswoman added: “The control hut is nearly complete along with the main electrical cable. The team is awaiting installation of the solar PV units that form part of the roof.”
The project – the first community-owned hydro electricity scheme built on the Thames – was originally due to be switched on by spring this year.
However, last winter’s floods meant Environment Agency officers were needed elsewhere and work was delayed.
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