Talybont on Usk Energy

About Us

Talybont on Usk Energy is a not-for-profit community enterprise, dedicated to reducing our impact on this beautiful part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Talybont on Usk Energy is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Its objectives are:

1. To promote

   Understanding of renewable energy sources, uses of alternative energy and related ecological and environmental issues;

2. To promote

   Renewable energy schemes in, and for the benefit of, the community of Talybont on Usk, including the provision and maintenance of a hydro-electric generating turbine at Talybont on Usk reservoir;

3. To promote

   The efficient use of energy and use of renewable sources of energy.

It took a lot of hard work for Talybont-on-Usk to become home to the first community owned power station in Wales.

The Turbine House Project

Below is a brief description of how Talybont-on-Usk got from having a decommissioned turbine house at the bottom of Talybont Reservoir to having a 100% grant funder, fully operational community owned hydro scheme.

November 2001
A group was formed following a series of well-attended public meetings facilitated by Brecon Beacons national Park Authority, looking at the potential for communities to develop renewable energy projects in a protected environment.

February 2003
Feasibility study identified installation of new hydro-electric turbine in the existing turbine house at Talybont Reservoir as a key potential project. Study funded by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority's (BBNP) Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).

2002 - 2004
Lease negotiations underway with turbine house owners Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water).

July 2003
Spirit grant of £7.1k awarded by Powys Association for Voluntary Organisations - enables appointment of part-time Project Development Officer for 18 months.

February 2004
Talybont-on-Usk Energy registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

June 2004
Completion of Welsh Development Agency (WDA)/Mid Wales Energy Agency funded detailed Design and Implementation Study for the hydro-electric turbine. The project will cost £92k. Fundraising kicked off by a capital grant of £14.4k from BBNPs SDF.

October-December 2004
Grant of £5k secured from Awards for All.
Capital grants secured from Clearskies (£44.9k) and Powys SECRET - a community renewable energy ERDF Objective 2 fund managed by Mid Wales Energy Agency (£27.6). All funding now in place.
Lease of turbine house signed with Dwr Cymru.

January - November 2005
Turbine ordered, installed and commissioned.

January 2006
Sales contract signed with energy supplier Good Energy.

April 2006
Turbine formally launched and switched on by First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM live on ITV news.

Talybont on Usk Energy's Project Development Officer

Alice Goldstone worked with Talybont on Usk Energy as the organisation's Project Development Officer from June 2007-2009. Alice is an independant consultant who specialises in community energy projects. Alice brought with her 10 years of experience of working and studying in the environment sector and has previously worked with the communities of Knighton and Presteigne. Alice is going to help Talybont on Usk become the first Carbon Neutral Village in Wales as well as raising the awareness of energy efficiency and renewable energy within Talybont on Usk community council area and beyond.