Roe Valley Power Station

Places to See | Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

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Ulster’s oldest hydro-electric station can be found in the Roe Valley Country Park and is one of those “off the tourist trail” visitor attractions in Co Londonderry.

It was built in the late 1800’s by John Ritter to provide electric lighting to his home, Roe Park House (now the Radisson Hotel).  Ever the inventor, Mr Ritter figured out that it should be possible to use the power of water to drive his power dynamo, meaning he would not have to buy expensive fuel oil.  He used the original waterwheel to drive the generator and, by default, created the first Hydro-Electric power station in Northern Ireland.

He then realised that using a water turbine, he could generate power for parts of nearby Limavady and soon 75 houses were connected to his private enterprise..

The power station stayed in use until the early 1960’s before it was put out of use.

Nowadays, a few of the old machines and turbines can still be viewed in the power house of this historical site in Northern Ireland, as most of the equipment has been kept in good condition.

Address:  Roe Valley Power Station, 41 Dogleap Road, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, BT49 9NN

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