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Current Hydro, a hydropower solutions developer, announced its 28.5-megawatt (MW) Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam Hydroelectric Project in Mason County, West Virginia.
Project construction is planned to commence in 2026, pending the approval of the final license application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), filed on January 23, 2025, and the permitting of the project design under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 408.
The RC Byrd Hydroelectric Project will leverage two decommissioned lock chambers at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam and feature two reinforced concrete powerhouses, each measuring 110 feet wide and 142.5 feet long. Powered by six Kaplan pit turbine generators, the system is expected to generate at least 165,000 MWh of energy annually. The project’s run-of-release approach is intended to help maintain the current flow of the Ohio River, preserve critical river oxygen levels, and support the ecosystem of the local fish population.
The project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.
The project is a result of a collaboration between Current Hydro and Conifer Infrastructure Partners, a fund that builds and invests in companies that deploy repeatable business models for untapped renewable energy opportunities within an 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, CEO 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.”
Locks and dams are critical infrastructure in the U.S. used for transportation and trade. Current Hydro’s approach adds power production to existing, critical infrastructure, which can reduce the new materials required. Additionally, by utilizing a smaller portion of the river flow than conventional hydropower designs, Current Hydro’s designs are meant to ensure the resource is “shared responsibly” with other stakeholders of the waterways.
