The dams and reservoirs of the Elan Estate are situated within an area of outstanding scenic beauty. They provide a lasting amenity in their own right for visitors to enjoy.

The protection of the water catchment to prevent pollution of the reservoirs has safeguarded the habitats of numerous species of flora and fauna.

However, it should be remembered that the dams were built to provide for a very basic need....water for the people of Birmingham. 

Click here to see photos of the Building of the Elan Dams and King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at the official opening of the scheme, 21st July 1904

The potential for producing renewable electricity from the 199 million tonnes of water stored in the reservoirs is obvious, and since 1997 there has been hydropower production from turbines installed at the base of all the dams and one in the Foel Tower.

Their individual outputs are as follows:

• Claerwen     1680 kilowatts
• Craig Goch     480 kilowatts
• Pen y Garreg     810 kilowatts
• Caban Coch     950 kilowatts
• Foel Tower     300 kilowatts

The total maximum energy output is 4.2 megawatts. 

The hydropower scheme uses four Francis turbines and one Kaplan submersible turbine to generate the power at 415 volts which is then transformed on site to 11000 volts.

The sites are interconnected by a 12 kilometre, 11000 volt underground cable which terminates at Caban Coch. From Caban Coch the power is transmitted to Rhayader via a further 7 kilometres of underground cable where it enters the National Grid.