A brief history
Guildford used hydro power before the Wey Navigation was constructed in 1653.  The water mill alongside the Yvonne Arnaud theatre originally provided motive power for grounding flour. This is now the Mill Studio.

In 1930, the water mill was converted to pump water up to the Pewley Hill reservoir which ran until 1952.  The turbine was finally removed in 1990 and donated to the National Trust and is now exhibited at Dapdune Wharf.

The hydro project
In 2006 a new turbine was installed in the Toll House which generates electricity by utilising the flow of water in the river Wey.  This renewable energy microgeneration scheme produces enough electricity to power 50 households every year.  The electricity produced by the turbine goes into the local network.

As of September 2009 the turbine has generated 500,100 kilowatt hours.  On average the turbine should generate 260,000 kilowatt hours per year, the investment pay back period is approximately 10 years.

For more information on the project or to book an educational workshop or hydro tour contact us using the details listed below.

Guildford Borough Council is the first local authority to own a small scale Hydro in the South East of England, and have won numerous awards.

For more information on renewable technologies visit our climate change pages.

Climate Change Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Telephone: 01483 444518
Email: hydro@guildford.gov.uk