Gigantic investment could protect jobs and energy security

A GIGANTIC investment could be made at two iconic sites, but only a small number of people will see where that money is spent. Buried in the slate scarred hillsides of North Wales lie two hidden but vitally important hydro-electric plants.

- WITH OWEN HUGHES

Ffestiniog, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, was one of the first pumped hydro-electric systems in the UK when it opened in 1963. Dinorwig, the largest and fastest-acting pumped storage station in Europe, followed near to Llanberis in 1984 and was regarded as one of the world's most imaginative engineering and environmental projects.

They play a crucial role in keeping the lights on across the UK. At times of high demand, or when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining, and more electricity is required on the national transmission system, the plants release water to generate electricity.

At times of low demand, when there is a lot of clean renewable power flowing, the plants pump water back up the mountain, ready for when it's needed again. At Dinorwig, water stored in the high-altitude reservoir Marchlyn Mawr is released to a lower reservoir, Llyn Peris, when power is needed.

At Ffestiniog the upper reservoir is Llyn Stwlan which then releases into Tan-y-Grisiau reservoir.

But the hydro-plants need updating to ensure they can keep running - also securing hundreds of jobs.

FLINTSHIRE has been named as the site for a new £170m factory making rock wool insulation products. Global manufacturer Knauf Insulation is to invest in a second manufacturing facility in Deeside.