Small scale water turbines installed in Somerset watermills

Somerset watermills are running a pilot scheme to install water driven generators. 12 mills in South Somerset are taking part as the South Somerset Hydropower Group, at an average cost of £25,000 per site. Funding for the scheme has come from the Energy Saving Trust, a government-funded body for promoting renewable sources of power, and Green Electron, a "green" electricity supplier. Mill owners had to secure abstraction licences from the Environment Agency, to permit them to use water from the river.

At Gants Mill near Bruton, a 20kW generator will provide enough electricity for around 15 homes. Up to 15% of the 8000+ mill sites in the UK may be suitable for such power generation.