The timeline is in place for the New Cumberland hydroelectric plant construction and operation. President of Current Hydro, LLC, Joel Herm said construction should begin in 2025 and the plant should be online in 2027.
The preliminary application has been granted approval and it places exclusivity on the hydro location for four years. Current Hydro, LLC works with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Army Core of Engineers in planning and executing all the variables that go into a hydro plant. FERC ensures reliable, safe, secure and environmentally efficient energy for consumers at a reasonable cost. While the concept of using water in motion to generate power with generators driven by turbines to feed into the electrical grids, has been in use for years, the construction of Hoover Dam outside of Las Vegas brought national attention to hydro power. The ability to bring electricity and air conditioning to the desert is credited with the development of Las Vegas as a resort area and gambling mecca.
Herm anticipates the construction of the hydroplant will generate several hundred construction jobs. He said they will be working with local labor groups for the construction needs. The day-to-day operation of the hydro plant will create 8 to 10 jobs.
Current Hydro purchased the former Globe Brick property from Brice Custer, the realtor and developer who has also purchased the Graham Building in downtown New Cumberland. Current Hydro, LLC, currently has five hydro projects; Pike Island Dam outside of Wheeling, one at Apple Grove, WV and two in New York. Herm said the company is also looking at purchasing the New Martinsville Hydro Plant.
