*This event is fully booked*

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Turlough Hill, Ireland’s only pumped storage hydro station, ESB are delighted to invite visitors to join them for a free guided tour of Turlough Hill pumped storage hydro station in County Wicklow.

By the 1960s, Ireland’s demand for electricity was growing rapidly. ESB needed systems that could respond quickly and in an environmentally friendly way. The pumped storage hydro station at Turlough Hill did just that by using renewable energy to provide a boost to the grid during busy periods. Today it captures and stores surplus energy generated by wind and solar power, helping us make the most of our renewable resources. At the time of completion in 1974, Turlough Hill was the largest civil engineering project ever undertaken in Ireland.

During the 90-minute tour visitors will enjoy a guided tour of the massive underground cavern deep within the mountain which is home to four turbines that generate a combined 292 megawatts of clean energy. In addition to learning how clean energy is generated visitors will gain a fascinating insight via the recently commissioned oral history project into the construction of Turlough Hill and its role in ESB’s Driving Change: Net Zero by 2040 strategy.

We expect tours to book out very quickly and therefore would encourage you to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note the upper reservoir is not included in the tour itinerary.

We look forward to welcoming you to ESB Turlough Hill.
Things to note before booking a tour of Turlough Hill.

Turlough Hill is a working pumped storage hydro station which will be operational on the day of your visit.

As Turlough Hill is a working power station, it may be necessary to delay or cancel tours. We will notify you should this occur.

Visitors should observe the signage in place and follow the guidance of their guide and stations staff at all times.

Parents will be responsible for their children at all times.

During your visit you will be required to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including a hi-vis jacket, safety hat and safety glasses. These will be provided.

Unfortunately the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or persons with limited mobility as the emergency exit is accessed via a steep flight of stairs. The Cavern Tour is not suitable for prams and they will not be allowed access to the tunnel.

Some of the tour takes place out-of-doors, please wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the Irish weather!

Visitors should arrive around 15 minutes before their scheduled tour time.

Please note the upper reservoir is NOT included in the tour itinerary.

Address
Turlough Hill Pumped Storage Hydro Station, Co. Wicklow