Historic mill returns to hydropower

An 18th century cotton mill on the banks of the River Bollin in Cheshire has taken inspiration from its past to produce its own cleaner energy again. A new hydroelectric scheme installed at Quarry Bank near Wilmslow has been switched on as the National Trust takes another step forward to achieve its ambition of generating 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Founded in 1784, Quarry Bank originally harnessed the power of the Bollin to drive the huge water wheel which would in turn power mill looms. The 1801 weir on the river remains a key feature in Quarry Bank’s landscape to this day.

More than two centuries later, the National Trust, working with the Environment Agency, has taken the water power scheme in a new direction. Instead of servicing long-silenced mill looms, the Bollin now powers a Kaplan turbine installed 30 m downstream from the weir. The turbine generates over 55% of Quarry Bank’s on-site energy requirements.