Decision details

The Director of Corporate Estates provided the Sub-Committee with an overview of feasibility work completed for the development of a low-head Hydro Electric Scheme at Treforest Weir on the River Taff, Treforest, Pontypridd. The report was based on a preliminary feasibility report produced by a specialist company that reviews the hydropower options at Treforest Weir.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language thanked the Director for the report and commented that RCT and the wider valleys were blessed with an abundance of water and that it made sense to look at the water as a possible source of green energy generation. The Cabinet Member felt it was an exciting and positive step forward and looked forward to future updates.

The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity echoed the previous comments and asked Members to look for similar projects in their local areas. The Cabinet Member spoke of the increase in cost of energy, which made such projects more viable and agreed that selling the energy through private wire would increase the amount of savings.

In response to the Cabinet Member’s comments, the Director informed Members that an all-encompassing report with information on approximately 30 potential sites within RCT would be presented to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

The Chair sought clarification on the terminology ‘private wires’ and it was explained that ‘private wire’ is used to differentiate between the wire coming from Western Power or National Grid. The Director hoped that the wire would be to a Council owned property, to maximise the used of the energy generated and explained that for every KW used, the Council would not have to buy it from the grid at the quadruple rates.

The Chair thanked the Director for the informative report and the Sub-Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report as part of the works agenda of the Climate Change Cabinet Sub-Committee;

2.    To further expenditure in the development of the proposals, as detailed in section 10.3, to undertake further design studies to assess full potential and develop detailed project proposals; and

3.    To receive further progress reports, at appropriate intervals, in the development of the proposals.