Tintern Angiddy Project Ltd

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TAP News November 2007

1. Project Overview

Despite a number of negative reports in the press, TAP has remained largely silent since issuing its Status Report in January 2007. The reason for this is that the proposal is unchanged and that the scheme remains the same as that declared in January. i.e.

• It is proposed to pipe water from Beaufort Pond down to a small turbine house at the forestry access road, a distance of 1050 metres.
• The pipe will have a diameter of 450 millimetres and will be buried.
• All water extracted from the Angiddy will be returned to the Angiddy.
• It is anticipated that the scheme will generate up to 30 KW of electricity.
• The electricity will be fed into the National Grid by underground cables.

The TAP team of 4 volunteers has continued to investigate all aspects of the proposal (environmental issues, archaeological issues, planning consent requirements, Environment Agency requirements, landowner consents, National Grid connections, professional assistance, implementation costs, funding opportunities and potential benefits). This process has taken far longer than anticipated but has now reached a point of clarity.

The good news is that the proposal:-

• Is technically achievable.
• Will meet the objective of generating electricity from renewable sources.
• Will produce a cash surplus for distribution within the Tintern Community.
• Is unlikely to have a long term impact on the environment or archaeology of the Angiddy valley. (Result of preliminary surveys. In depth surveys remain to be done)

Funding has been received to enable the "Pre-Project" phase to be completed. This phase is primarily to achieve all the necessary permissions to allow the project to proceed. (i.e. Planning consent, Environment Agency consent, CADW consent, landowner consent). It also covers the design spec, flow measurement, confirmation of expected performance, and a full project cost estimate for subsequent funding purposes. This is a lengthy process and will take until Spring 2008 to complete.

Subject to further funding being obtained, the implementation of the project should hopefully start in Summer 2008, leading to commissioning by the end of 2008.

2. Recent Developments

• A series of communication meetings was started in October. A "Drop In" session at the village hall was attended by 25 residents. An overview of the project was given and the event was supported by GreenWeb, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, AONB, Severn Wye Energy Agency and Friends of the Earth An earlier meeting was held with a group of 13 "Non Supporters". TAP respects the views of this group and will endeavour to allay their fears. Further communication meetings will be held.
• TAP has 71 members at the current time.
• TAP has engaged HydroGeneration from Stroud to give professional assistance in order to ensure that the project achieves a successful implementation. TAP have also engaged local organisations to carry out the necessary surveys. Wye Valley Surveys from Tintern will undertake the environmental surveys, and A.P.A.C. Ltd from Abergavenny will undertake the archaeological surveys.
• Establishment of actual flow rates in the Angiddy is a priority action. Measures have been taken to permit regular and frequent readings of the flow.
• TAP has recently held meetings with the Planning dept and the Environmental Agency in order to clarify their requirements.
• A Planning Application has subsequently been submitted for the project.
• Applications are currently being prepared for submission to a number of potential funders for funding of the implementation of the project during 2008.

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3. Local concerns answered

1. Low residual flow in the Angiddy. Various figures have been quoted, which are unsubstantiated. The actual flow rate in the Angiddy is being monitored and will continue to be over the coming months. TAP will not be allowed to reduce the flow level to below the natural minimum level.
2. Furnace Pond will silt up. The current procedure is to open the sluice gates in the Furnace Pond for several days in February each year in order to flush out the silt. TAP will maintain this schedule. For the days in question there will be no power generated as full flow will be diverted into the Angiddy.
3. Scarring the landscape in the valley. The pipe will be buried under existing permissive paths and footpaths. There will be some damage to the vegetation alongside these paths during installation, and a small number of trees will be felled. Landscaping will be carried out, the paths re-made and within 12 months the route of the pipe will not be visible. At the input end there will be a stainless steel collection / filter box at the base of the Beaufort Pond dam. This will be approximately 1 cubic metre in size and as it is at river level will not be very visible. At the bottom end of the pipe there will be a small turbine house situated away from the road and concealed by trees. It will be approximately the size of a single vehicle garage and built of dark natural materials so again will be of low visible impact. Connections to the National Grid will be by underground cable.
4. How is the profit calculated? All the power generated will be sold to the National Grid. This will provide the income from the project. On the expense side, TAP will have to pay Corporation Tax at 20%, an insurance premium, a small cost to cover education initiatives for local schools, and to allocate a sum for annual maintenance. There will be no staff costs as the project will be run entirely by volunteers. Income minus these expenses will be the profit.
5. How will the profit be distributed? A committee, made up of representatives of the various clubs and organisations which exist within the Tintern Community, will be set up. TAP will donate the annual profit to this committee. The committee will be empowered to decide how to spend the money. TAP will not participate in this process but will fix the guide lines. I.e. Money must be spent within the Tintern Community; Projects should improve local amenities; or support the various clubs, groups and organisations; or support renewable energy projects.

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4. Motivation behind the project

• The proposed scheme is unique and ground breaking in as much as it will be the first Micro Hydro power installation to use a 1000 metre pipe to greatly increase the head of water available at the turbine, resulting in a substantial increase in power output.
• The Angiddy valley is ideally suited to such a scheme.
• The UK Government is committed to generating 10% of electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and is actively encouraging the development of initiatives. The TAP Project will make a small contribution and may inspire similar projects.
• Funding is available from many sources to support renewable energy projects.
• The scheme is a low visible impact scheme. (unlike wind turbines or solar power)
• The scheme has education potential to explain practically the benefits of renewable energy, in addition to increasing public awareness of the benefits of renewable energy.
• The annual profit from the project will provide a long term benefit to the clubs, groups and organisations within the Tintern Community.

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