I WRITE in response to Nigel Plunkett’s letter (ViewPoints, April 26), regarding the potential impact on fish of the new hydro- scheme at Osney Lock.
Assessing the scheme’s overall impact on local ecology, including fish, was a key part of the process to secure both planning permission and Environment Agency support for the scheme and if the potential impact had been assessed as being as detrimental, we would not support the scheme ourselves.
The technology we have selected for the scheme, a reverse Archimedean screw, is one suggested to us by the Environment Agency because of its fish-friendliness, having slow rotational speed and no significant shear forces or pressure changes. Contrary to Mr Plunkett’s claims, independent studies have repeatedly demonstrated that Archimedean screw turbines do not “mince”or “slaughter” fish.
An independent study has also confirmed that the site for the scheme is currently impassable to all fish species, as the existing weir forms a barrier.
The study concluded that the fish pass that is included in our design will, in fact, significantly improve fish migration upstream.
The fish pass is being built at Osney Lock Hydro’s expense and without the hydro, no fish pass is currently planned for this site.
Our scheme will generate green energy and create a sustainable income stream to support local environmental projects well into the next half of the century.
SASKYA HUGGINS Director, Osney Lock Hydro Henry Road Oxford
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