Historic power station next to River Clyde restored to 1920s glory

Energy supplier Drax Group has pumped more than £1 million into the refurbishment of an historic power station on the banks of the River Clyde, ahead of its 100th anniversary.

Stonebyres Power Station has been restored to its original design. Picture: William Wilson Photography

The Lanark hydro scheme, which comprises the Stonebyres and Bonnington power stations, was the first large-scale hydroelectric project in Britain when it was completed in 1927 – producing sufficient electricity for some 17,000 homes.

Drax, which acquired the scheme in 2019 alongside a number of other assets, said the £1.1m refurbishment of the Stonebyres plant had been a complex task due to the listed nature of the building.

As part of the project, every original pane of glass and window frame in the building was painstakingly replaced using stronger, modern materials, but which retain the station’s original design.

Senior civil engineer Anne Kerr and head of hydro Ian Kinnaird view the power station from a bridge over the River Clyde. Picture: William Wilson Photography

The restoration was led by Drax Group senior civil engineer Anne Kerr. She said: “Restoring Stonebyres has been a labour of love for my team.

“It was a complex and challenging project, involving a great deal of care to protect the station’s many original features. It has been a real privilege to not only safeguard Stonebyres’ history but to play a part in its future too.”

Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s head of hydro, added: “Stonebyres Power Station has been producing reliable, renewable electricity for almost a century, and this major refurbishment will ensure it continues to do so for many years to come. Since the refurbishment, the station looks almost brand new.”

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