An Eden family firm has cemented itself as a national leader in the hydroelectric engineering sector, with one project even fit for the Queen.
Grant Plant Hire Limited (GPHL), based at Flusco, completed three high-profile projects last year, including a two-megawatt hydroelectric system in the Balmoral Estates, which is owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
The mammoth project diverts water from the River Muick through a 3km pipe which turns a twin turbine, creating energy for the royal estate and the National Grid.
Based near the Lake District National Park, the firm’s teams specialise in environmentally sensitive projects and their expertise was pivotal in landing them the contract for the site that has been running for more than a year.
The company was founded by Roger Chamberlain in 1983.
He was quickly joined by his brothers George and Charles. Now the next generation is taking the reins as Ralph Chamberlain, George’s son, becomes increasingly involved in running GPHL.
Ralph said: “It was a huge privilege for us as a business. Such a high-profile job like this has really cemented our status in the hydro industry.”
The project had to be virtually invisible to passers-by due to the rural nature of the Cairngorms National Park and the public footpaths that cross the area.
GPHL’s team had to employ an unusual practice – covering the pipe as it was being laid. This even included photographing rocks to replace them exactly as they had been found.
Project manager Dave Crozier said: “It’s quite unusual to do it that way because if you have a leak problem it becomes really difficult to fix. I had a highly experienced team though and technically it all went perfectly.”
The build also included a partially underground powerhouse which was clad with wood and grass, in keeping with the rural landscape.
“You can’t see anything at all from some angles,” added Dave. This project was almost fully completed before the coronavirus pandemic hit. However, another of GPHL’s hydroelectric schemes at Loch a’ Bhraoin in Ross-shire was no so lucky.
Ralph, who managed the project which also generates two megawatts from a river, said: “Me and the lads actually had to isolate in a bubble for 15 weeks because of COVID-19.
“It was right at the start of the pandemic last year and nobody was sure what would happen.
“We were quite fortunate really in that we were at a stage in the project where we didn’t really need any outside interference so we could just get it finished.”
The firm fell into hydroelectricity almost by chance when a contractor pulled out of a project some years ago and the GPHL team stepped up and completed the project.
Word of mouth spread which then led to the trio of major construction projects last year.
This included a 5km pipe linking Thirlmere to the mains within the UNESCO World Heritage site, which again required expertise.
Taking over the family business seems natural for construction project management graduate, Ralph.
He said: “I’ve been involved in the family business all my life really, it’s all I’ve known. I still remember spending summer holidays on the floor of digger cabs.”
GPHL is just one business owned by the Chamberlain brothers.
The family of entrepreneurs run companies ranging from housing development and construction to holiday letting and site management.
“I don’t think they’ll ever retire!” said Ralph.
However, new talent within the family is being fostered as George, Charles and Roger’s children take roles within the companies.
This includes Roger’s daughter Ruth who is managing a housing development in Cockermouth with her uncle Charles.
Ruth’s sister Alice almost single-handedly runs the family’s holiday park at Flusco.
Charles’ son Tom is also a site manager for GPHL and looks after the day-to-day running of the Cockermouth development.
The younger generation have updated websites and created social media accounts for the businesses. These are bolstered by Ruth’s photography skills.
