| Carrigadrohid hydroelectric power station | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of Carrigadrohid hydroelectric power station in Ireland | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Location | County Cork |
| Coordinates | 51°53′50″N 8°51′50″W / 51.897175°N 8.86382°W |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1952 |
| Opening date | 1957 |
| Owner(s) | ESB Group |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | River Lee |
| Height | 22 m (72 ft)[1] |
| Length | 130 m (427 ft) |
| Spillways | 3 |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Carrigadrohid Lake |
| Catchment area | 616 km2 (238 sq mi)[2] |
| Surface area | 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Commission date | 1957 |
| Type | Conventional |
| Turbines | 1 x 8 MW Kaplan-type[3] |
| Installed capacity | 8 MW |
| Annual generation | 22 GWh (79 TJ)[4] |
Carrigadrohid hydroelectric power station is a hydroelectric plant located on the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. It is owned and operated by the ESB Group. The dam is 130 m (427 ft) long and has a single 8 MW (11,000 hp) Kaplan turbine which produces an average of 22 GWh (79 TJ) each year. Built between 1952 and 1957. the construction of Carrigadrohid required the destruction of over half of the Gearagh, an ancient alluvial forest, and initially harmed local wildlife. However, subsequently the area has seen the growth of an ecosystem with kingfishers, otters, salmon and swans, which has been designated European Union Special Area of Conservation.
- ^ O'Keefe, J.D. (2002). "The contribution to society of Irish Hydro-electric dams". In Tedd, Paul (ed.). Reservoirs in a Changing World. London: Thomas Telford. pp. 19–20.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, J.; Bree, T. (2001). "Flood risk management through reservoir storage and flow control". National Hydrology Seminar 2001: 91–93. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ "River Lee Generating Stations" (PDF). ESB Public Relations Office. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "The River Lee Hydroelectric Scheme" (PDF). ESB Public Relations Office. Retrieved 15 April 2018.