Carmarthenshire Energy Limited (CEL) is inviting local people to come and find out about the benefits to the community of a new hydro power scheme on the river Teifi.
Carmarthenshire Energy is a not-for-profit community benefit society which works with communities to develop renewable energy projects and tackle fuel poverty.
They will be hosting an open day in Pentrecwrt Hall on Monday, September 7, between 3.30 and 7.30 pm to provide information regarding the project at Allt Cafan and answer any questions in person, and invite people to get involved.
Allt Cafan is a traditional cotton mill site on the river Teifi. Now in some disrepair, the original Mill buildings still stand, with an existing weir and a largely blocked leat which originally housed a mechanical mill wheel, and then had two small Gilkes hydro-electric turbines installed in the mid-20th Century.
CEL propose to finance a sympathetic restoration of the original leat and enhancements to the inlet from the weir, in order to install a state of the art, 90kW Archimedean screw hydro-electric generator.
This technology offers good electricity production - output from the turbine is projected to be the equivalent of supplying around 80 households.
The scheme includes specially designed passes for fish, lampreys and eels which will improve upstream access.
The Community event will include exhibitions relating to the hydro scheme and Carmarthenshire Energy. There will also be information about a new fuel clubs project that is being set up in the county.
Chair, Dr Neil Lewis, said: “As a community owned business, the scheme will generate income in the form of rent to the landowner, but the more significant surpluses will be reinvested by CEL in carbon saving and money saving measure for local businesses and householders.
“The investment will also restore a valuable heritage site, giving it a new function in keeping with its history.
“The event is an opportunity for people to come along and find out about this exciting development from our friendly team. We’re really looking forward to it.”
All are welcome to attend, for more details visit: www.carmarthenshireenergy.org or call 01267 616 333
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