Borrowash Hydro Explained

Borrowash Hydro
Location:Borrowash, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Coordinates:52.9027°N -1.3846°W
Th Technology:Hydroelectric
Ps Electrical Capacity:100 kw/h
Commissioned:1995

Borrowash Hydro is a hydro-electric power plant built on the River Derwent in Borrowash, Derbyshire.

The location is the site of the former Borrowash Mill. The power plant was installed by Derwent Hydro[1] in 1995 with a capacity of 100kw/h.[2]

Borrowash Mill

The earliest mention of a mill on the site dates from the Taxation Roll of Pope Nicholas compiled in 1291 which says that the Abbot of Dale had a mill at ‘Borwesasse’.[3] This is assumed to be a corn mill.

Around 1800 another mill was built as a cotton mill by Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington and operated by John Towle and Co. It became known as 'Towle's Mill'.

On 12 April 1928 a fire broke out. The mill at this time was operated by the English Cotton Company.[4]

The mill continued to operate as a flock mill providing material for the manufacture of bedding until it closed and was demolished in the middle 1960s.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Sites. Derwent Hydro. 7 January 2023.
  2. Web site: The Potential for Water Generated Power in Derbyshire . . 30 May 2012 . Derbyshire County Council . 7 January 2023 .
  3. News: . Coming Events . Beeston Gazette and Echo . England . 21 September 1929 . 7 January 2023 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  4. News: . Fire at Borrowash . Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal . England . 13 April 1928 . 7 January 2023 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .