Schiffwinkel – Run-of-river power plant at Hengsteysee

Hengsteysee - Hengstey run-of-river power plant near Herdecke / Hagen-Boele

The Hengstey run-of-river power plant is a hydroelectric power plant at the end of the Hengsteysee in the course of the Ruhr, exactly on the city limits between Herdecke and Hagen in North Rhine-Westphalia; the power plant building is on the Hagen side.

The run-of-river power plant was built as a combination system with a roller weir in the 1920s. After construction, the Ruhr water was dammed to form Hengsteysee. Since then, the river water and the height difference of around 4.6 m have provided the continuous basis for renewable electricity generation.

Hikers, runners and cyclists have the opportunity to cross the Ruhr directly via a pedestrian bridge at the power plant between Herdecke and Hagen. From here you have a great view of the roller weir and the Kaplan turbine houses. As with many bridges, the fashion for “love locks” that now decorate the bridge has not stopped. Cyclists should be careful with the rails in the middle.

At the weir, which closes off the Hengsteysee, RWE operates the Hengstey run-of-river power plant, which was renovated in 2007 and supplemented by a fish ladder in 2008. The power plant generates a maximum output of 3,300 kilowatts. The actual weir of four barrel-shaped locks can be opened at high tide, a lock system allows smaller vessels the passage.

Impressive and interesting. To recommend.