A NEW hydro-electric plant could soon be powering a sewage works if plans get the go-ahead.

H2O Power Ltd has applied for permission to install the plant at Bolton Waste Water Treatment works, at Red Rock Lane, in Stoneclough.

Proposals for the 50 kilowatt plant, next to Ringley Weir, include the installation of an Archimedes screw turbine, replacement of the existing sluice system and construction of a retaining wall.

A power house brick building will be built on top of the turbine which will contain the generators and other electrical equipment.

The works, which discharge into the River Irwell, are run by water company United Utilities, which aims to consume all of the electricity produced by the turbine on-site.

Steve Slavin, infrastructure manager for United Utilities said the plant would increase the amount of renewable energy the treatment works uses, saving the company money while keeping customer bills sustainable.

He said: “We’ve been investing heavily in renewables for years to meet our target of halving our carbon footprint. We already generate 21 per cent of the power our business needs.

“Bolton Waste Water Treatment Works is one of our most advanced sites. We already use a combined heat and power system there, which provides a lot of its renewable energy.

" And we are investing in fully automated technology which continuously monitors electricity demand and generation. It’s an advanced system and we have plans to install this on more of our sites over the next two years.

A design and access statement in support of the application states that site will have “minimal impact" on the green belt.

It adds: “Impact to the nearby conservation area at Ringley Fold will be minimised by appropriate siting leading to nil visibility and by constructing a turbine house that is sympathetic to the character and appearance of the area.”