Environment Secretary Officially Opens Merthyr Community Energy Scheme

A community energy scheme which will use profits to enhance a local park has been officially opened today by the Environment Secretary, Lesley Griffiths. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The 100kw Taff Bargoed Park hydropower scheme is situated in Parc Taf Bargoed in Merthyr and is run by the Friends of Taff Bargoed Park Group. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme will generate 480MWh of energy per year and the income produced will be invested back into the park to improve the facilities, support a park warden and make environmental improvements for the benefit the whole community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government has committed in its Programme for Government to support the development of more community energy schemes like this across Wales. The Taff Bargoed Park scheme received significant support from the Welsh Government towards its construction. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Speaking at the opening, Lesley Griffiths said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is exciting to officially open this successful locally owned energy scheme. It’s a great example to other communities across Wales who may be looking to use their local assets to meet their energy needs and be more resilient in future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“If we want an energy system that truly works for Wales we need more communities to come forward and take control of their local energy needs. We stand ready to support communities to achieve this, including through our Local Energy service which opened earlier this year and provides technical advice and support.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the visit, the Environment Secretary started the turbine to declare the scheme officially open. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​