Dumfries and Galloway Council is looking into the possibility of using the River Nith to generate power for the area.
The idea was raised at the economy and resources committee by Nith ward councillor David Slater during a discussion on the local authority’s climate change duties.
And he was told by Simon Fieldhouse, the environment and strategic projects manager, that it was something that the council was already investigating.
He told members that a similar project works successfully in Ayrshire.
Mr Fieldhouse said: “The micro-hydro opportunities on the Caul and the Nith are being explored and being looked at.
“Some work was undertaken back in 2006 to look at preliminary findings. Technology has moved forward and I believe there is an Archimedes screw that powers Ayr College now so we are looking at the opportunities surrounding that one.
“We’ll come back with a further report when we’ve concluded feasibility works to look at what kind of costs we will be looking at.”
The council declared a “climate change emergency” in 2019 and produced a 12-point plan on reducing emissions in the region.
Against this background, Councillor Slater suggested a Caul hydro-electric scheme was worth looking at again.
He said: “We have a river in which millions of litres pour over the Caul each year. A number of years ago there was a power generating station on the Caul and there are parts of it still there.
“I believe modern technology and turbines, or Archimedes screw as they call them, are far more efficient than what was talked about years ago.
“All that water is pouring away and it should be used.”
