A MASSIVE screw that will transform the power of the Calder River in Whalley into electricity is to be winched into place next week.

The Archimedean screw costs more than £200,000 and will be delivered to the site of the Whalley Community Hydro on Tuesday, after discussions with the police.

The 12-metre long 13-ton mechanism will generate 100kW of hydroelectric energy from the river as the weight of the flowing water turns it.

It was developed and manufactured for the social enterprise organisation by Spaans Babcock in Holland.

The screw, which is 3.6 metres in diameter, is designed to improve the ecology of the river as it incorporates an improved fish pass, allowing fish to travel upstream more easily to access the upper reaches of the river.

The £750,000 project was set up in February 2010 with Longridge-based William Pye beginning construction earlier this year, after years of fundraising. It is expected to finish in November.

Income from the sale of electricity will be used to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions locally.

Chris Gathercole, director of Whalley Community Hydro, said: “This is a milestone moment for the project and we are really getting to the business end of construction.

“It’s a big piece of equipment and it’s very important to the project.

“Everything is going to plan so far, and we are on schedule.

“It’s very exciting and it’s great that we have got to this point after four years.”

Bill Wilkinson, director and project supervisor, said: “This is a great day for Whalley Community Hydro.

“Our principal contractor Spaans Babcock of Heywood and civil engineers, William Pye of Longridge have done excellent work in keeping us on track for handover in November.”

Funds for the project were raised through a loan from The Charity Bank and a share sale which remains open.

Bosses at the scheme have said that £439,000 has so far been raised through the share sale.