Turlough Hill, Ireland's only pumped Hydro-electric storage system, will open to the public for tours this summer.

The free tours will mark the 40th anniversary of the commissioning of the station which, set in the exquisite surroundings of the Wicklow mountains, is still today regarded as a massive feat of innovative environmental engineering.

Owned and operated by ESB, the station can generate up to 292 megawatts of electricity at times of peak demand and can go from standstill to full capacity in 70 seconds responding almost instantaneously to the country’s electricity needs.

Tour guides will bring visitors on an enlightening journey through Turlough Hill's exhibition centre, describing the history behind the generation of electricity in an environmentally conscious manner and then walk through the 1.5km tunnel to view the generating plant and Hydro Control Centre, from where all of the country's 10 hydro stations are controlled, housed in a cavern deep in the Wicklow mountains.

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Speaking about the tours, Dave Sexton, Station Manager said: "Turlough Hill plays a significant role in the social and economic history of Ireland and remains hugely important in terms of both environmental engineering and energy supply. ESB recognises the 40th anniversary as a very fitting time to open the station to tours so that the public can see this amazing facility for themselves.

"Set in the picturesque Wicklow Mountains near Glendalough, construction began in 1968 and ended six years later. The main station is buried out of sight inside the mountain. Tour attendees will be impressed by the massive underground chamber constructed inside the granite mountain which houses the station control room which in 2004 became the Hydro Control Centre for ESB and operates all of the 10 hydro generation stations across the country."

Tours will be available June through to September from Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 3.30pm.

(CD/MH)