To many, Britain’s canal system is merely a relic from the Victorian era. Thanks to 21st Century technology, canals are set to contribute to the reduction of global warming.

British Waterways, the public body responsible for Britain’s 2,200 mile water network, have announced a deal worth £120 million ($168 million) with the Small Hydro Company to generate renewable hydro energy from the canal system. The plan is generate 210,000 megawatts of electricity annually from 25 sites. It’s hoped to have the first site up and running by next year.

In addition, British Waterways also agreed in October 2008 a partnership with an eco-investment fund, Partnerships for Renewal, to set up 50 wind turbines near canals over the next five years. Output is hoped to be 219,000 megawatts per year.

And the revenue from the energy schemes will go back into maintaining the canals – a shipshape solution!

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