Leading energy company E.ON has given a £30,000 grant under its SOURCE community initiative towards the cost of installing a water turbine which generates electricity at the Apsley Paper Trail in Hemel Hempstead.

The Apsley Paper Trail is an education and conservation charity which is based at the site of the world's first mechanical paper machine. It also operates an energy conservation and sustainable development centre, paper recycling schemes for schools and environmental education and training activities.

The Paper Trail continues to operate a Victorian paper mill with a 100 year-old, 30 metre long steam driven paper machine which makes 100% recycled paper, and the grant will be used to help pay for a 2kW hydro turbine which will be used to generate electricity for the site.

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Tony Jenkin Jones, Community Relations Executive with E.ON, said: "We're delighted to be able to contribute towards this exciting project for the Apsley Paper Trail as part of our SOURCE scheme, which is designed to help community groups get their sustainable energy projects off the ground.

"They're looking to use a renewable source of energy for their visitor centre, as well as minimising their impact on the environment and making significant cost savings."

It is expected that the hydro turbine will save the emission of up to three tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, as well as providing significant savings for the charity by reducing electricity costs.

The Paper Trail aims to demonstrate the importance of conservation by using the history and heritage of industrial paper making, while demonstrating renewable energy in action.

(CD/NS)