A hydroelectric turbine (100; 200; 300) comprising: a stator (106; 206; 306) comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements; a rotor (104; 204; 304) comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements, wherein the rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation, a plurality of blades (101; 201; 301) attached proximate a first axial end of the rotor, each of the plurality of blades comprising a first blade portion (203; 303) extending radially inward with respect to the rotor and a second blade portion (202; 302) extending radially outward with respect to the rotor, the first and second blade portions of the plurality of blades being arranged in a fluid flow to interact with it, to cause the rotor to rotate about the axis of rotation; at least one bearing mechanism (211, 212; 213, 214; 216; 217; 219, 220, 221; 228; 231, 233; 319) configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator; wherein the rotor has an inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the stator, and characterized in that the rotor is in tension and configured to flex during rotation of the rotor around the stator and in that the at least one bearing mechanism (211,212;213,214;216,217;219,220,221;228;231,233;319) comprises at least one water lubricated bearing, wherein the at least one water lubricated bearing is made of a plurality of wood or wood composite teeth attached to the stator in a row along the outer circumferential surface of the stator, the plurality of wood or wood composite teeth each being positioned to be received in corresponding slots in the inner circumferential surface of the rotor. a stator (106; 206; 306) comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements; a rotor (104; 204; 304) comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements, wherein the rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation, a plurality of blades (101; 201; 301) attached proximate a first axial end of the rotor, each of the plurality of blades comprising a first blade portion (203; 303) extending radially inward with respect to the rotor and a second blade portion (202; 302) extending radially outward with respect to the rotor, the first and second blade portions of the plurality of blades being arranged in a fluid flow to interact with it, to cause the rotor to rotate about the axis of rotation; at least one bearing mechanism (211, 212; 213, 214; 216; 217; 219, 220, 221; 228; 231, 233; 319) configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator; wherein the rotor has an inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the stator, and characterized in that the rotor is in tension and configured to flex during rotation of the rotor around the stator and in that the at least one bearing mechanism (211,212;213,214;216,217;219,220,221;228;231,233;319) comprises at least one water lubricated bearing, wherein the at least one water lubricated bearing is made of a plurality of wood or wood composite teeth attached to the stator in a row along the outer circumferential surface of the stator, the plurality of wood or wood composite teeth each being positioned to be received in corresponding slots in the inner circumferential surface of the rotor.