Backbarrow Hydro Electric Scheme
Cumbria, England.
The Backbarrow Hydro Scheme utilises water
from the River Leven in South Cumbria, which drains Lake Windermere southwards
to Morecambe Bay. The site is situated 3km downstream of the outfall of Lake
Windermere and lies within the Lake District National Park. This is an
exceptionally beautiful section of river and also a valuable source of
revenue for the local economy through tourism and salmon fishing.
Historical records show that the chosen site has been used as the source of waterpower for varying types of industry over the centuries. The last phase of this was an iron and charcoal works, which was in operation up until the 1940's. Originally the works had been supplied with power from water wheels, but this was superseded by the installation of a Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Horizontal Francis Turbine, commissioned in 1928.
After the demise of the ironworks, the 65 kW turbine was linked to the National Grid. This turbine was running up to decommissioning at the start of the current project, and was Gilbert Gilkes & Gordons oldest running turbine.
In addition to its sensitive location within the Lake District National Park, part of the site was a Scheduled Ancient Monument and therefore both English Heritage and the Industrial Heritage Section of the Lake District National Planning Board were involved in the planning process together with the Environment Agency.
To achieve the requirements of these parties the powerhouse was set below ground level and exposed faces were required to be stone faced in the vernacular style of the area.
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