Current Hydro has announced plans for the 28.5MW Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam hydroelectric project in Mason County, West Virginia, US. The project aims to generate 165,000MWh of carbon-free energy annually, enough to power more than 15,000 homes.
The company has filed its final license application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and expects construction to begin in 2026, pending regulatory approval. The project is being developed in partnership with Conifer Infrastructure Partners, a firm that invests in renewable energy opportunities within existing infrastructure.
“We have plans to deliver state-of-the-art hydropower production along the Ohio River, and an experienced team specializing in non-powered locks and dams to do it,” said Jeremy King, Chief Executive Officer of Current Hydro. “RC Byrd Hydroelectric Project is about more than clean energy – it’s about supporting West Virginia’s economy, creating jobs, and collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local communities.”
The project will utilise two decommissioned lock chambers at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam. It will feature two reinforced concrete powerhouses, each measuring 110 t wide and 142.5ft long, powered by six Kaplan pit turbine-generators. The design will allow the river’s flow to continue uninterrupted while maintaining oxygen levels to support local fish populations.
“Hydropower represents around 28% of the renewable energy mix in the US, with tremendous untapped potential to increase the pipeline of reliable non-intermittent power,” said Nick Stork, Founder and Managing Partner at Conifer Infrastructure Partners. “When designed thoughtfully and sustainably, hydropower projects can provide reliable baseload power for up to 100 years, comparable to fossil fuels, with low environmental impact. We are confident in Current Hydro’s vision and look forward to the RC Byrd Hydroelectric Project launch.”
If approved, the project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.
