Griswold, CT – Gravity Renewables, a leading national owner and operator of small hydro projects, has completed its acquisition of the Wyre Wynd Hydroelectric Facility in Jewett City. The 2.78 megawatt (MW) facility on the Quinebaug River has generated clean energy for more than one hundred years.
Duncan Broatch, the former owner of the project and the current chair of the Connecticut Small Power Producers Association, will continue to manage plant operations and assist in a variety of other efforts for Gravity.
“I wanted to join a fantastic small hydro group and Gravity was the clear choice,” said Broatch. “The team is great to work with and I know my plant will be in good hands.”
“Wyre Wynd is an important part of New England’s renewable energy history and a key asset in its clean energy future,” said Ted Rose, Gravity Renewables’ CEO. “We look forward to maintaining the plant and working with Duncan Broach for years to come.”
The Wyre Wynd facility was originally built to power Aspinook Mills, a textile manufacturer which operated from 1893 to 1964. In 1970, Southwire purchased the site and manufactured wire products on site and in 1983 a new powerhouse was built and new equipment installed. Summit Hydropower, Inc., under Broatch as its President, purchased the hydro site in 1997 and made the project more reliable and efficient with major repairs and upgrades.
About Gravity Renewables
Gravity Renewables is a leading national owner, operator and developer of small hydroelectric power plants. Small hydropower provides predictable, reliable, affordable clean energy that’s locally produced. By making a long-term commitment to these neighborhood facilities, Gravity restores and conserves important historical sites, employs local operators and promotes educational and recreational opportunities in the communities it serves. Gravity currently has more than 30 MW of hydroelectric projects operating and under development across the country. For more information please visit www.gravityrenewables.com or contact us at 303.440.3378. Follow Gravity Renewables on Twitter or Facebook.