Renewable energy consultancy Dulas is constructing a 100kW capacity hydro-electric scheme with Welsh Water to deliver 400MWh annually.
The facility is due to be built next year at Llwyn Onn, Merthyr Tydfil and fed by the Cantref reservoir and powerhouse situated at the base of the Cantref reservoir dam.
The site currently houses a water supply and treatment plant that takes water from an upstream reservoir and supplies part of the Brecon Beacons and Merthyr Tydfil.
The proposal was granted feed-in tariff accreditation in March this year and will be used to reduce energy consumption at Welsh Water’s treatment plant.
The site, which is in the Cwm Taf valley in Brecon Beacons National Park, is expected to generate 400MWh annually.
Other than diverting some spill flows via the hydro scheme rather than down the main spillway, there will be no alteration to the existing abstraction regime at Cantref.
The hydro-electric scheme marks the 100th renewable energy project that Dulas has been granted planning permission for across the UK.