The North Wales Hydro Electric Power Act 1973 (c. xxxvi) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which gave powers to the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) to build the hydro electric station at Dinorwig in North Wales and associated purposes.

Background The Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) had a statutory duty to develop and maintain an electricity supply in England and Wales. In order to meet increasing demand for electricity there was a need to construct and operate new works for generating electricity. This act gave powers to the CEGB to build the hydro electric station at Dinorwig in North Wales.

North Wales Hydro Electric Power Act 1973 The North Wales Hydro Electric Power Act 1973 received royal assent on 19 December 1973. Its long title is ‘An Act to confer powers upon the Central Electricity Generating Board for the construction and erection of works and a generating station in the county of Caernarvon and for the acquisition of lands and easements for the purposes thereof or in connection therewith; and for other purposes.’

Provisions The act comprises 58 sections in five parts, and five schedules:

Part I : Preliminary

Sections 1 to 6, short title, interpretation, application

Part II: Works

Sections 7 to 20, powers, roads, footpaths, accommodation

Part III: Lands

Sections 21 to 28, acquisitions, easements

Part IV: Abstractions, impoundings and discharges

Sections 29 to 46, powers to take water, abstraction, discharges

Part V: Miscellaneous and general

Sections 47 to 58, preservation, protection, arbitration, costs

Schedules

Schedule 1 – Part I and Part II Provisions of Water Act 1945 Schedule 2 – Lands for possession Schedule 3 – Footpaths to be stopped up Schedule 4 – Description of land for generating station Schedule 5 – Land acquired for accommodation

Effects of the act The act empowered the CEGB to construct hydro electric generating station at Dinorwig. Construction took place from 1974 to 1984, the first generator came on line in February 1983. The generating plant comprises six 290 MW generators with a total net capability of 1728 MW.

Current status Unknown.

See also

Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952 North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955

References