Golden Falls hydroelectric power station is a hydroelectric plant located on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. It is owned and operated by the ESB Group.

Golden Falls hydroelectric power station
Location of Golden Falls hydroelectric power station in Ireland
Coordinates	53.12041°N 6.6081°W / 53.12041; -6.6081
Status	Operational
Opening date	1943
Owner(s)	ESB Group
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity
Height	15 m (50 ft)
Length	98 m (320 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	0.8×10^6 m2 (0.31 sq mi)
Catchment area	312 km2 (120 sq mi)
Power Station
Commission date	1943
Turbines	1
Installed capacity	4 MW
Annual generation	9 GWh (32 TJ) average

Construction

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Golden Falls hydroelectric plant is located downstream of the larger Pollaphuca hydroelectric power station as part of the River Liffey Scheme. The concrete dam is 98 m (320 ft) long is fitted with three gates, each of which is 7 m (23 ft) wide. The dam has an average head of 17.4 m (57 ft).[1] The dam creates a balancing reservoir between the plant and the larger one upstream and has helped to reduce the risk of flooding.

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Generating capacity

The plant consists of a single turbine rated at 4 MW (5,400 hp) manufactured by English Electric. It spins at 187.5 r.p.m. and feeds a 5,000 kVA English Electric three phase alternator running at 10.5 kV. The average output for the station is 9 GWh a year.[1]

Archaeological importance

The Bronze Age Bishopsland Hoard was excavated during the construction of the dam in 1942 and subsequently other archaeological finds from periods back to the Neolithic have been found in the area.[2]

References