HYDRO-ELECTRICITY THE POWER STATIONS
There are two large Pelton type double turbines and one small single turbine. At the time of my visit, one of the larger generators had been stripped down for overhaul.
Electricity first came to the village in 1925 as a result of the kindness of the Roussel sawmill. Here, amidst the remains of the water powered mill, can be seen parts of the original dynamo.
In 1970 the power station was automated involving the installation of modern control technology. It replaced this magnificent battery of switches and gauges set into a marble panel
The Power Station started generating electricity in 1934 using a temporary river dam, but came into full operation when the supply from the Pradeaux dam became available in 1940.
The lake in the picture on the left provides piped water for another much smaller power station at Grand Barot equipped with a single 800kw Francis generator