Seventy years of clean green power
While exploring a scenic cycle route BBC's Country File programme visited South West Water's Mary Tavy hydro power station near Tavistock and discovered seventy successful years of renewable energy production.
South West Water runs what was once the largest hydro scheme in England at Mary Tavy, the plant has been successfully generating environmentally friendly energy for the national grid since 1932 and will be featured in the forthcoming BBC Country File series.
Water is taken from the River Tavy on Dartmoor and transferred via leats to turn turbines and generate electricity. Before 1932 the leats provided water to drive water wheels which were used to pump water out of 18 mine shafts. This allowed miners access to ores enabling them to produce metals such as copper, lead and silver.
Today, with the maximum amount of water passing through the turbines at Mary Tavy they would generate enough electricity to supply 5000 homes - that's enough energy for the whole of Tavistock.
South West Water and Viridor Waste are part of the Pennon Group, and between them they generate more electricity through environmentally friendly methods than they use. Natural resources are carefully managed and electricity is generated through hydro schemes, waste landfill processes and generators fuelled by methane gas - a by product of the sewage treatment process.
At Mary Tavy renewable energy comes from sustainable sources the water is not consumed by the hydro process. It is 100% renewable and recyclable and one of the most efficient resources today.
Mary Tavy hydro provides immediate energy without a warm up time like fossil fuel plants. The process blends into Dartmoor's natural environment and the surrounding area can be used for recreation and by wildlife.
You can find out how the environmentally clean operation works for yourself at Morwellham Quay, Hydro Centre, near Tavistock in Devon. For further information contact South West Lakes Trust on 01837 871565.
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For further information please contact Dina Chandler, Communications Officer on 01392 443021.
 Seventy years of clean green power Published: 5th September 2002
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