ºTHE wonder of the tiny historic hydro-power stations of West Devon can once again be marvelled at by visitors to Morwellham.
South West Lakes Trust — an independent trust set up by South West Water to run recreation and conservation on its sites — has recently refurbished the visitor centre at the quay.
It staged a small ceremony there last Tuesday to mark the re-opening. Lady Mary Holborow, chairperson of South West Water's recreation and conservation forum, cut the ribbon to welcome visitors to the new displays and interactive exhibits, which not only explain about sustainable hydro-electric power in the Tamar Valley, but also issues of conservation.
Access has also been improved for those with mobility difficulties.
Although entry to the turbine hall itself is restricted for reasons of health and safety, visitors can peer through windows at the generating equipment, which would qualify as a museum exhibit itself, being largely original gear from 1934. It is more reliable than a lot of modern systems, according to SWW's hydro manager Steve Cryer.
The power station owes its existence to the Tavistock Canal, built by John Taylor to connect the mines of Tavistock with the quay at Morwellham for onward shipping of ores for processing.
The canal fell into disuse in the late 19th century, as railways took over as the main form of transport, but the enterprising Christy brothers spotted its potential for bringing electrical power to the area in the early 1930s.
They renovated the canal and built a reservoir above the quay to supply the power station.
The water, taken from the River Tavy at Tavistock and conducted six miles by canal, flows into the Tamar after use — warmer, but largely unaffected — a wholly sustainable process.
The power plant is not an historic relic. It produces enough renewable energy to supply the Bere Peninsula, power which SWW feeds into the National Grid on a commercial basis.
That is the equivalent of 15 of the modern wind turbines which dominate some parts of the South West's skyline.
'Hydro stations are always tucked out of the way in low areas because they need a big head of water,' said Mr Cryer.
During the winter when there is plenty of rain, both turbines at Morwellham run 24 hours a day. In the summer, power production depends on water levels and extraction limits set by the Environment Agency.
SWW operates small hydro schemes from many of its dams, including Roadford, Mary Tavy and Chagford.
It is currently developing other schemes to supply increasing quantities of renewable energy into the South West.