New hydroelectric power station planned for North-east

A £2.5m hydroelectric power station is to be built in the North-east in a collaboration between Northumbrian Water and RWE Npower Renewables.

Construction is begin later this year on the plant at Selset reservoir in County Durham, which will generate enough power for 1,000 homes as well as feeding energy into the national grid.

The project at Selset adds to the firm's larger existing hydroelectric power station at Kielder Water, which generates electricity for about 5,000 homes.

The structure housing the turbine and generator will be in the style of a Teesdale farm building, in stone and with a pitched roof, to fit in with the local landscape.

Dr Colin Price, Northumbrian Water's technical director, said: “We believe that creating renewable energy where we can is the responsible way forward, for the business, our customers and the environment.”

Tim James, project manager at RWE Npower Renewables, said: “It will make a useful contribution to UK renewable energy targets.”