United Utilities Renewable Energy Limited, a subsidiary of United Utilities, has applied to the Environment Agency for a licence to impound water from the River Irwell for hydro- electric energy generation.

United Utilities Renewable Energy Limited has applied to the Environment Agency for a licence to impound water from the River Irwell for hydro- electric energy generation.

Water will be obstructed or impeded to replace an existing sluice with a 3 blade Archimedean screw turbine and an all species Larinier technical fish pass.

 The alteration works are to enable the abstraction of water for the purpose of hydro-electric power production at a maximum rate of 860 litres per second and for fish and eel passage. All of the water abstracted will be returned to the River Irwell immediately downstream of the weir .

United Utilities Renewable Energy Limited was set up as a subsidiary company in February last year.