The Lock 7 small hydroelectric power plant on the Kentucky river in Kentucky, US, has been sold, saving it from demolition.

Kentucky Utilities has sold the facility to Lock 7 Partners LLC, a partnership between Shaker Landing Hydro Associates and Salt River Electric. The price has not been disclosed.

Lock 7 has not produced electricity since 1999, but its purchasers are hoping to renovate the structure and start generating once more.

Rehabilitation work could begin in the next few weeks at a cost of US$2.75M, with the hope of generating as much as 2000kW.

Efforts to save the dam, built in 1928, began in March 2004.