Hydro-electric Station below Caban Coch Dam (north power house)

Cadw's description

Location

Below Caban Coch dam (partly in the community of Llanwrthwl). Consists of 2 power houses linked by bridge spanning River Elan, Brecon Distict.

History

Early C20 hydro-electric station generating power from water from Elan Valley dams.

Exterior

Power stations are symmetrical pair. Brown stone, slate roof. Parallel to river Elan. Each has one 4-window block with attached lower 3-window block set towards river; lantern ventilator to each block. Larger block has, to river, central doorway with small window over; 2 windows to each side (cruciform glazing); rear elevation similar but lacks doorway; gable end towards dam has doorway with elliptical head, and round window above. Lower block set forward with doorway in angle; 3 windows, central 2-light window flanked by 3-light windows, rear similar but with central doorway, not window; gable end away from dam has large 3-light round-headed window with heavy transom. Interior retains operating machinery including turbines and generators to upstream blocks, downstream blocks have railed pits, wooden cases with gauges etc.

Footbridge connects the two stations. Stone; 3 broad elliptical arches; return walls to ends opposite entrances to power houses. Bridge connects with revetment walls below power houses; grey stone, splayed downstream ends with arched outlets.

Reason for designation

Listed as part of one of the greatest civil engineering projects of C19.

Group value with adjacent dam.