A huge Welsh reservoir is looking partially empty, leaving some passersby concerned about early signs of drought. But the water levels at Llyn Peris in Snowdonia have been lowered to enable refurbishment work to take place.
The sides of the reservoir, which is near Llanberis in Gwynedd, will remain exposed for part of the summer so its dam, pipes and tunnels can be checked. Drilling rigs and plant machinery will be on-site, reports North Wales Live.
The water levels have dropped by 14 metres and are expected to stay low for around 80 days while the checks are carried out. The water has been pumped 1,757ft up Elidir Fawr and is being stored in an upper reservoir, Marchlyn Mawr.
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When water is released back through giant pipes, it goes to a hydro plant which generates electricity. Station manager John Armstrong, who also oversees First Hydro’s pumped power plant at Ffestiniog, said: “The reservoir levels are reasonably similar to how they are after water is pumped to the upper reservoir, which usually done overnight when electricity prices are lower. The main difference is that they will stay this way for a while as the refurbishment work continues.”
The reservoir is part of the pumped hydro system at Dinorwig power station, which is currently undergoing repair work to extend its operating life. It took ten years to build the power station underneath Dinorwig Quarry with the help of 2,000 locals, before it began operating in 1984.
It is regarded as one of Britain's greatest engineering triumphs and remains the UK's fastest source of electricity, with the ability to power 1.5 million cups of tea per second.
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