TAP Progress Summary
Project Update -- Summary of progress to May 2008
The micro hydro scheme proposed for the Angiddy Valley is progressing well. The Planning Application and Environmental Agency licence applications have been submitted and are currently progressing through their consultation phases. This is taking longer than anticipated as both TAP and the authorities are determined that all aspects of the proposal will be thoroughly evaluated. The result of this approach is that TAP has undertaken to gather a considerable amount of data to enable the full impact of the proposed installation to be understood. TAP has commissioned a number of experts to carry out this work.
An ecological survey has been carried out to appreciate the impact on the flora and fauna. This concluded that the scheme will have no long term effects. The survey will be backed up in the next few months with specific surveys of seasonal elements. e.g bats, dormice, aquatic invertebrates, crayfish. The recent bryophytes survey concluded that project will have no significant impact. The risk to trees along the route of the pipe has also been assessed and a number identified that should be felled, as root damage could cause them to become dangerous in future years.
Archaeology in the valley is a major point of concern. For several centuries the valley was a hive of industry. At its peak there were said to be more than 20 working water wheels in the valley. There is very little evidence of this activity today, but nevertheless TAP commissioned a detailed survey to assess the risk of causing damage to archaeological remains. The survey concluded that the project is unlikely to have an impact on the archaeology of the valley. Despite this report, it is the archaeology discussions with GGAT and CADW that are prolonging the assessment of the Planning Application.
Several times per week the actual flow rate is being measured. This is to allow the Environment Agency to determine the minimum flow which must remain in the depleted section of the Angiddy. This will be critical to the profitability of the project. It is estimated that the scheme could achieve a full extraction of 200 litres / sec for 45% of the year, depleted extraction for 42% of the year and no extraction for 13% of the year, whilst maintaining a sufficient residual flow in the Angiddy Brook. On this basis the scheme will develop 145,000 kWh of electricity per year.
There are 3 landowners affected by the scheme and they have all given permission for the installation on condition that planning permission is given and Environment Agency licences are granted.
Funding for the project has not yet been achieved. TAP have been able to secure funding for the pre-project surveys mentioned above. The implementation, once permission is granted, will cost approximately £250000. Applications for funding are being submitted to organisations which are likely to support the project.
TAP membership is approaching 100 and a monthly project update is E mailed to those who have supplied addresses, in addition to others who have expressed an interest. The web page http://www.tapenergy.org continues to evolve and gives full details about the project.
Norman Williams
Marketing & Publicity Director
Tintern Angiddy Project Ltd
Telephone: 01291 680016
E Mail: info@tapenergy.org