Derwent Hydro
Our Sites
At Derwent Hydro we have been generating hydroelectric power since 1990 and we now operate 12 schemes for ourselves with more planned. Our commissioned sites are at:
MILFORD
This is a refurbished old system on the River Derwent in Derbyshire. The turbine dates from the 1930s but is still capable of producing over 150kW. The system has been in almost constant operation since we brought it back to life over 25 years ago and yet most local people don’t seem to realise it is there. This is a testament to our responsible operational practices and to hydropower in general as an extremely benign and discreet form of electricity production.
This is a refurbished old system on the River Derwent in Derbyshire. The turbine dates from the 1930s but is still capable of producing over 150kW. The system has been in almost constant operation since we brought it back to life over 25 years ago and yet most local people don’t seem to realise it is there. This is a testament to our responsible operational practices and to hydropower in general as an extremely benign and discreet form of electricity production.
BELPER
The 350kW scheme at Belper is integrated into the imposing mill buildings at the heart of the town, which are now let commercially. Like the scheme at Milford, this is part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The weir that provides head for the turbines also supports a boating pond adjoining the Borough Council’s river gardens. This is another great example of how with hydropower, clean electricity generation can blend seamlessly into business premises, historic sites and community amenity areas.
The 350kW scheme at Belper is integrated into the imposing mill buildings at the heart of the town, which are now let commercially. Like the scheme at Milford, this is part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The weir that provides head for the turbines also supports a boating pond adjoining the Borough Council’s river gardens. This is another great example of how with hydropower, clean electricity generation can blend seamlessly into business premises, historic sites and community amenity areas.
BURTON UPON TRENT
The flour mills at Burton on the River Trent have been converted into residential apartments. Adjoining one of the apartments Derwent Hydro’s water power system continues to run quietly, generating renewable electricity and off-setting the power demands of the residents.
The flour mills at Burton on the River Trent have been converted into residential apartments. Adjoining one of the apartments Derwent Hydro’s water power system continues to run quietly, generating renewable electricity and off-setting the power demands of the residents.
BORROWASH
The scheme at Borrowash includes a turbine built in-house by Derwent Hydro. The innovative siphonic design enables the electrical elements to be kept well above water level, which is essential in this location where flooding is a regular problem. The site has been operating for many years and maintains a healthy population of coarse fish, to the enjoyment of the adjacent angling club.
The scheme at Borrowash includes a turbine built in-house by Derwent Hydro. The innovative siphonic design enables the electrical elements to be kept well above water level, which is essential in this location where flooding is a regular problem. The site has been operating for many years and maintains a healthy population of coarse fish, to the enjoyment of the adjacent angling club.
DOLANOG
In April 2007 Dopower Ltd, the tenant and operator of Dolanog Hydro Station, was acquired by Derwent Hydro. The site had been subject to reliability and operational problems for many years and was not profitable. Derwent Hydro modified the turbine arrangement and comprehensively upgraded the electrical control system at Dolanog including the installation of remote monitoring equipment. We also renegotiated the company’s commercial arrangements. As a result the scheme now runs reliably, effectively and profitably. Peak output is over 140kW.
In April 2007 Dopower Ltd, the tenant and operator of Dolanog Hydro Station, was acquired by Derwent Hydro. The site had been subject to reliability and operational problems for many years and was not profitable. Derwent Hydro modified the turbine arrangement and comprehensively upgraded the electrical control system at Dolanog including the installation of remote monitoring equipment. We also renegotiated the company’s commercial arrangements. As a result the scheme now runs reliably, effectively and profitably. Peak output is over 140kW.
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POOL
At Pool in Wharfedale (West Yorkshire) 2 old water turbines lay disused for decades but were refurbished (2009-10) by Derwent Hydro. Both have been equipped with new gearboxes, generators and control system and each supplies around 70kW (peak) to the adjacent factory. The fish screen for the turbines is kept clean with a bespoke cleaner designed and built in-house.
At Pool in Wharfedale (West Yorkshire) 2 old water turbines lay disused for decades but were refurbished (2009-10) by Derwent Hydro. Both have been equipped with new gearboxes, generators and control system and each supplies around 70kW (peak) to the adjacent factory. The fish screen for the turbines is kept clean with a bespoke cleaner designed and built in-house.
GREENHOLME
Commissioned in 2011 this is the newest of our low head sites. It is upstream of Pool on the River Wharfe and generates a peak of nearly 330kW. The turbine is a vertical shaft Kaplan which drives a large 28-pole generator directly. This scheme used an existing weir and leat but was largely new build and required significant excavation and concrete works. The project is owned and operated by Wharfedale Hydro Power Ltd, a Derwent Hydro-TLS Hydro joint venture.
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BETHESDA
At Gerlan on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park we have recently (2013) commissioned two new hydro power stations. These are high head schemes each running a 500kW multi-jet pelton turbine, one supplied by the Afon Caseg and the other by the Afon Llafar. These are entirely new schemes, taken from feasibility right through to commissioning by Derwent Hydro. They are now operating under our subsidiary Gerlan Hydro Limited. We are grateful to CO2Sense for their assistance with the financing of this project and the Greenholme project.
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LEE MOOR
The Tory Brook at Lee Moor (Devon) is the water source for two schemes, one shortly downstream of the other, which produce 100kW between them. These are owned and operated by Tory Brook Hydro Limited, which is a joint venture between Derwent Hydro and local expert personnel. These generating stations were commissioned in 2015.
DOLHENDRE
A turbine house at Dolhendre Caravan Park is home to two turgo turbines with a peak combined output of around 140kW, commissioned in 2015 and 2016. The project is another testament to how careful design can produce hydropower schemes that fit in well with their surroundings even where local land use is diverse. Here tourism, farming and forestry. Part of the land involved is owned by the Welsh Government and managed by Natural Resources Wales, whilst the whole site falls within the Snowdonia National Park, meaning our ability to work within tight constraints and fulfil regulator expectations was critical once more.
CYNWYD
This 135kW hydro station has been running since the 1990s but was acquired by Derwent Hydro through our subsidiary Dopower Limited in October 2016. Cynwyd is an adaptation of an old water works and is the first of our sites to include a reservoir.
