Hydro Project

The hydro project involves the re-installation of an electricity generating turbine, using the compensation flow from Talybont reservoir (water which is released to maintain the Caerfanell River ecosystem.  This discharge varies over the year according to a schedule stipulated by the Environment Agency).  The turbine and all the associated controls and meters are housed in the existing Turbine House below the dam, constructed at the time the dam itself was built by Newport Borough Council in the 1930’s. (Pictures of the turbine house and the turbine going in are pictures below).

The new 36kw Valley Hydro crossflow turbine will produce an annual energy output in the region of 240Mwh valued at around £17,000.  The electricity generated will be sold under the Renewables Obligation to a Public Electricity Supplier via the National Grid.  Talybont-on-Usk Energy will re-invest the proceeds from the sale of the electricity in a range of further energy projects in the Talybont-on-Usk community council area.  All this will be managed by and for local people, and has the potential to be a model for small-scale renewable energy generation.

The project will result in greatly enhanced community awareness about energy efficiency and the benefits of generating energy from renewable sources.  The hydro site will incorporate display materials – aimed at the local community, schools and visitors.  Panels will demonstrate the current and cumulative energy generation of the scheme over time, describe the history of the scheme and how the hydro works.  The Sustainable Development Fund supported the initial feasibility study and awarded £14,548 towards the purchase of the new turbine.

For more information on the group, please visit their website: www.talybontenergy.co.uk