A hydroelectric power plant has been planned to be built at Selset Reservoir, located 14 km north-west of Barnard Castle in the UK. Official statement was made declaring the power partnership which was signed by “RWE Npower Renewables” and “Northumbrian Water”.
According to the officials, Tees Valley would be using the power of water towards the generation of electricity through this power plant. An estimated 750 kilowatts of electricity which is equivalent to 4,000 megawatt hours a year will be generated and stored into the national grid, this is enough power to meet the needs of at least 1000 households.

The Northern Europe’s largest man-made reservoir is also partnered with “RWE Npower Renewables” and this plan will add to Northumbrian water’s hydro power plant located at Kielder Water. Kielder scheme is massive, as it generates electricity which is sufficient for the average annual needs of about 5,000 households, at 20,000 megawatt hours.
The total fund required for the Selset hydroelectric project is estimated to be at 2.5 million pounds while the work is scheduled to start by early 2010. The building of the project and the architectural styles will be like Teesdale farm building with the usage of stones and a pitched roof. This project would also require a better access road, integration of existing operations of water supply and the establishment of small sized building, the size of a garage, this building will be primarily used for the stowage of turbine and generator.

Safety of the working conditions has also been taken into consideration. For this, the water level at Selset reservoir will be lowered as it holds 15,320 million litres of water which could violate safety standards for working.
According to Tim James, Project Manager of RWE npower, this would be their first project to be constructed in England which would greatly contribute towards the renewable energy targets of UK considering Wales and Scotland which houses a number of hydroelectric projects.

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