A LONG-AWAITED hydroelectric scheme in Oxford could be up and running in a fortnight.

The community-owned Osney Lock Hydro is today due to enter its final phase of testing, expected to last two weeks.

The £650,000 turbine, paid for by local investment, is expected to generate enough energy at Osney Lock to power 60 homes. Its output will be used to run the Environment Agency’s offices nearby, with any extra sold to the national grid.

The final testing phase will enable EA staff to work with a new telemetry system which allows them to monitor live water levels and flow data. Lock-keepers downstream at Iffley and upstream at Godstow will be able to use the data to change river levels to maintain safe navigation.

A similar project to build a hydroelectric power plant in the River Thames at Abingdon has raised £800,000.

Not-for-profit company Abingdon Hydro raised the money in donations from residents and supporters. Locals who set up the company need to raise £1.25m to realise their dream, but said they will take out a loan if necessary.

Company bosses announced their latest total at a meeting last week and director Penny Clover said: “There was a cheer from the Abingdon Hydro directors when it was announced the amount raised from more than 400 investors.”

The scheme will see two Archimedes screws installed in the river at Abingdon Weir, generating up to 100kW of power, enough for 120 homes.

The company launched its share offer at a public meeting on November 1, which was attended by dozens of people.