On Friday 2 November, the turbine will be turned on by Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust, in the presence of Rt Hon Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

The Archimedes screw turbine will generate enough electricity to power the park's new award-winning visitor centre.

The installation is the final phase of an exciting 2-year project supported by a £990,000 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to transform the park's semi-derelict stable yard into a vibrant new visitor centre expected to be the most energy efficient historic building in the country.

The turbine will contribute to energy needs which are also being met by three different sorts of solar panels, an air source heat pump and a wood burning stove. The Archimedes screw turbine phase of the project is also being funded by the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust and Thames Water.

The Archimedes screw has been installed in the River Wandle, behind the Grade II listed Snuff Mill and the original waterwheel which was also conserved last year. The turbine acts as a modern waterwheel, harnessing the power of the river to generate electricity. It is estimated that it will generate 59,000kWh a year enough for about 16 average households. Fish and eel passes have been installed next to the turbine.

Wesley Kerr, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund for London will also be attending the event. He said: "This is an innovative and exemplary approach to restoration, conservation and interpretation. The addition of the Archimedes screw to the restored historic features of Morden Hall Park makes this a genuinely sustainable 'deep green' heritage project - simultaneously bringing alive the industry of the past whilst embracing that of the future. This whole scheme is an exemplar of what can be achieved in public parks."

The newly restored Victorian stable yard at Morden Hall Park houses a permanent, interactive 'Livinggreen' exhibition about sustainable green living and renewable energy, a changing community exhibition area, National Trust offices, craft stalls for local artists, water-saving eco loos and a small café. The stable yard and the turbine provide an excellent opportunity for local people to learn about renewable energy and water power.

"We are very excited to have installed a modern waterwheel to harness the power of the river," said National Trust property manager Zoë Colbeck: "It is the final stage of a pioneering project and also takes us back to the reason the park exists - water power."

City Bridge Trust's chairman, Billy Dove MBE JP, commented: "The project that the National Trust have undertaken at Morden Hall Park is truly an inspiring example of how technologies old and new can be used to create a more sustainable environment. We are delighted to have supported this landmark installation and hope that it inspires people for years to come."

Helen Newman, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Thames Water, also commented: "We are really proud to be associated with this project which is providing a sustainable power solution for the new visitor centre, whilst also reminding us of why water is so valuable."

The Archimedes Screw turbine was installed by Mackley Construction and Hallidays Hydropower. Visitors will be able to see the turbine on regular tours. Visitors can also receive advice on how they can save energy themselves during personal advice sessions on 28 November.

Notes to editors

Morden Hall Park is a 125 acre (50 hectare) National Trust property in Morden, south west London. It is free to enter, open 365 days a year and attracts over 750,000 visitors a year.
Morden Hall Park website

The National Trust looks after special places for ever and for everyone. They intend to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heat and electricity by 50% by 2020. This will do this by:

• Conserving energy
• Growing our own electricity and heat
• Getting off oil
• Energy inspiration

The National Trust is a charity and is completely independent of Government. They rely for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from our commercial operations.
National Trust website

City Bridge Trust is managed by the City of London Corporation. It was established to make use of funds surplus to requirements for repairing five of London's bridges and provides grants totalling around £15m per year towards charitable activity benefiting Greater London.
City Bridge Trust's website

Thames Water is funding the project through its Ten for Ten programme of£10m (allocated from company profits) to be used in accordance with its ten point plan, which aims to deliver funding for community engagement and educational programmes regarding water use, as well as providing financial support for disadvantaged customers.
Thames Water's website

Mackley provides public and private sector clients with a comprehensive range of civil engineering services from conception through construction to project delivery. Throughout the entire process they add value through their industry experience and expertise.
Mackley's website

Hallidays Hydropower is an award winning company that specialises in the sympathetic installation of Archimedean hydroscrews in a variety of situations. Recent clients include private mill owners, councils, stately homes, community schemes, hotels and museums.
Hallidays Hydropower website

Further information

Find out more on the project blog.

Morden Hall Park
Caroline Pankhurst, Project Coordinator on 020 8545 6856, email: caroline.pankhurst@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Geri Silverstone, External Affairs Consultant on 07810 292 023, email: geri.silverstone@nationaltrust.org.uk.