Friends of Taff Bargoed

The Venture

Project type: 100kW High Head Hydropower

Location: Taff Bargoed Park, Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil

Aim: To build and successfully operate a100kW Hydropower development at the cascades of the Taff Bargoed River and use its profits to deliver community benefit through improving facilities, equipment and support for local clubs in the Taff Bargoed Park.

The high head Crossflow hydro turbine was successfully installed and commissioned in May 2016 after six years of development from initial feasibility, licensing, build through to commission. The hydropower development has a capacity of 100kW and is projected to generate 480MWh per annum,equivalent to the average electricity needs of 128 average households in Wales. The energy will be exported to the local grid and generate an income through the Feed In Tariff.

What was the outcome?

After six years of development which included initial feasibility, site design, licensing (Including planning, NRW and land agreements), consultation, site investigation, tendering, capital finance and pre accreditation for the FIT, the build at the site was commissioned. The build was completed within eight months and the 100kW hydropower system was commissioned in May 2016. The first year of generation was during a particularly dry year where the annual rainfall was below average. During this year the site generated 330MWh, 70% of the predicted generation. The income from the hydropower development has been sufficient to cover the operational and maintenance costs for the site but no community benefit has been distributed in the first year of operation.The directors have chosen to build the operating reserve to ensure the financial reliability of the development is maintained and any issues that arise can be addressed going forward. The plant has operated well during the first year as a result of the excellent design and installation, the turbine itself is proving to be a robust piece of equipment that will continue to operate for many years to come.

Contact

476a Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, Wales, CF5 1BL

paul@tychwarael.co.uk