Llanberis - Power Plant Proposal

© Jack Geldard
A planning application has been submitted for a new pumped storage power station at the Glynrhonwy slate quarries at Llanberis that would create new reservoirs, a major pipeline and the permanent flooding of some disused quarry sites that contain climbing routes. If approved proposal may also require new overhead power cables across the lower Llanberis valley to export generated electricity to the National Grid.

The village of Llanberis, sat below the slopes of Moel Elio. Taken from above Vivian Quarry  © Jack Geldard
The village of Llanberis, sat below the slopes of Moel Elio. Taken from above Vivian Quarry
© Jack Geldard, Apr 2009

Gwynedd Council has received a planning application from a company called "The Quarry Battery Company" for a new hydro-electric pumped storage power station at the site of the old Glynrhonwy slate quarries which are located in the lower Llanberis valley directly above Llyn Padarn (seen in the upper right of the photo above). The quarries contain the iconic and very first climbing route to be done on slate - the route Gideon  first climbed back in 1964.

For the full story go to the BMC WEBSITE

To register a comment about this application with Gwynedd Council go here: Trace & Track website


This post has been read 10,382 times

Return to Latest News


30 Nov, 2012
But where will we practice our graffiti?
30 Nov, 2012
30 Nov, 2012
There is two sides to this, one is the creation of jobs for locals and the extra income of all local facilities. With that said I do feel that the complete destruction of our recreational venues could be reconsidered and maybe other proposals considering the design of the damns and maybe their locations should be proposed. Either way I think the people who matter most, more than us climbers, is the locals. If they decide they need more industry with reach of their homes. so be it. By the same note if they don't want it then I think that is something we would all agree on.
30 Nov, 2012
I am in agreement with the post above, although it would be sad to see some slate routes dissapear under water, inward investment into North Wales is deperatly needed to help the local economy. Arguably this project is the re-use of an old industrial site and the planning will beviewed very differently than say a new hydro scheme in an existing valley that is used for agriculture etc. This is not a climbers issue, this is a local issue and the focus of the debate should be with the local community, I hope UKC user respect that
30 Nov, 2012
So this is why the proposed dry ski slope development was rejected? ;-) ALC
More Comments
Loading Notifications...
Facebook Twitter Copy Email