North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952. The North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952 (15 & 16 Geo. 6. & 1 Eliz. 2. c. xlvi) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which gave powers to the British Electricity Authority (BEA) to extend the hydro-electric stations at Dolgarrog and Maentwrog in North Wales and associated purposes.

Background 
Dolgarrog hydro-electric power station had originally built in 1907 to generate electricity for an aluminium smelting plant. Public supplies of electricity began in 1922. A new station (known as No. 2 station) was built in 1924–5. By 1952 the electricity industry had been nationalized and the BEA sought powers to extend Dolgarrog power station to increase its generating capacity and output.

Maentwrog hydro-electric power station had first been commissioned in October 1928. In 1952 the BEA sought powers, alongside those for Dolgarrog, to extend the power station.

North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952 
The North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952 received royal assent on 1 August 1952. Its long title is 'An Act to confer powers upon the British Electricity Authority for the construction of works in the counties of Caernarvon and Merioneth and for the acquisition of lands and easements for the purposes thereof or in connection therewith and for other purposes.'

Provisions 
The act comprised 41 sections

 Section 1 Short title
 Section 2 Incorporation of Acts
 Section 3 Interpretation
 Section 4 Power to execute works
 Section 5 Power to deviate
 Section 6 Subsidiary works
 Section 7 Works to form part of undertaking
 Section 8 Power to dredge etc.
 Section 9 Temporary stoppage of roads and footpaths
 Section 10 Period for completion of works
 Section 11 Discharge of water into streams
 Section 12 Accommodation for workmen employed on construction of works
 Section 13 Power to take water
 Section 14 Obligation to secure full development of water power
 Section 15 Restriction on taking water in respect of Dolgarrog extension works 
 Section 16 Restriction on taking water in respect of Maentwrog extension works 
 Section 17 Provisions applicable to last two preceding sections of Act
 Section 18 Agreements with statutory water undertakers and others
 Section 19 Making good diminution in water supplies used for domestic or agricultural purposes 
 Section 20 Further provisions relating to Work No. 1
 Section 21 Fencing and crossing of aqueducts
 Section 22 Application and modification of Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950
 Section 23 For the preservation of scenery and amenities
 Section 24 Power to acquire lands
 Section 25 Correction of errors in deposited plans and book of reference
 Section 26 Acquisition of part only of certain properties
 Section 27 Power to expedite entry
 Section 28 Power to enter for survey of valuation
 Section 29 Disregard of recent improvements and interests
 Section 30 Extinction of private rights of way
 Section 31 Power to acquire easements only
 Section 32 Grant of easements by persons under disability
 Section 33 Liability to make compensation
 Section 34 Payment to river board for improvement of fishery
 Section 35 For protection of Postmaster-General
 Section 36 For protection of river board
 Section 37 Saving for Llandudno Urban District Council
 Section 38 Saving for town and country planning
 Section 39 Arbitration
 Section 40 Crown rights
 Section 41 Costs of Act

Effects of the act 
The act empowered the BEA to extend the catchment areas of Dolgarrog and Maentwrog power stations, and to build a 10 MW extension to Dolgarrog.

Dolgarrog No. 3 Station was commissioned in 1957. It comprised a 10 MW, 750 rpm, Boving-Bruce Peebles water turbine set. The capacity of the power station increased from 17.7 MW prior to 1957 to 27.7 MW from 1957.

See also 

 Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry
 North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955
 North Wales Hydro Electric Power Act 1973

References 

United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1952
Hydroelectric power stations in Wales