Monmouth New Hydro Scheme
The Monmouth New Hydro Scheme, which incorporates the Osbaston fish pass, is a hydroelectric scheme in Osbaston, near Monmouth, in South-East Wales.
Description
The scheme produces 670,000 kW hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power 152 homes.[1] It also provides heat for the landowner, Ronald Kear's, home.[1] The scheme is built around two screw turbines. These Archimedes' screws are operating in reverse, with water flowing down, to power generators.[1] An earlier hydroelectric power station had been on the site from 1896 until 1953, which itself was built on the foundations of an even older forge.[1] Alongside the scheme is the Osbaston fish pass, built by the Environment Agency Wales at a cost of £600,000.[1] The fish pass allows river-spawning fish, such as salmon, to access an extra 125 miles of river - something which they had not been able to do since Osbaston Weir was put in place in the 18th century.[2]
The power station was officially opened on 23 September 2009 by the Earl of Wessex.[2] Several months later, in June 2010, local schoolchildren released salmon into the River Monnow at the site of the power station - the salmon were initially reared at their school, Osbaston Primary School, as part of a class project. Once the salmon became fry, they were taken to Cynrig Hatchery, in Brecon.[3] The fish pass is not only used by salmon, but also larger creatures - in June 2010, a camera set up at the site of the fish trap caught footage of an otter swimming through the trap.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e Dube, Steve (17 November 2009). "New hydro-electric plant at Osbaston is a masterstroke of engineering". Western Mail. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Weir–D... What Ronald Kear Knows About Archimedes, The Royal Family And A Successful Fish Pass (originally accessed 28 April 2012)". Aberdaire Online. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ "Osbaston pupils send salmon on their way". Fishing Wales. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
- ^ Otter caught on film in fish pass. BBC News. 22 June 2010.
- v
- t
- e
- Great Castle House
- Monmouth Castle
- Monnow Bridge
- Shire Hall
- 1–6 Priory Street
- 9 Agincourt Street
- 12–16 Church Street
- Agincourt House
- Beaufort Arms Court
- Chapel House
- Clawdd-du Bridge
- Cornwall House
- Drybridge House
- Glendower House
- Lord Nelson's Seat
- Monmouth Priory
- Newton Court
- Old Nag's Head
- Robin Hood Inn
- Roundhouse, The Kymin
- Royal George House
- St Mary's Priory Church
- St Peter's Church
- St Thomas' Church
- Savoy Theatre
- Shambles
- Statue of Charles Rolls
- Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
- White Swan Court
- Angel Hotel
- Baptist Church
- County Gaol
- Croft-Y-Bwla
- Cross
- Dispensary
- Druid's Head Inn
- The Grange
- Griffin
- Inglis Bridge
- St James House
- St John's
- Judges' Lodgings
- Kings Head Hotel
- Hendre House
- Kingsley House
- Market Hall
- Masonic Hall
- Monnow Mill
- Nelson Rooms
- North Parade House
- Oak House
- Parade House
- Priory House
- Punch House
- Queens Head
- Rolls Hall
- St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
- Three Horseshoes
- Vine Tree
- 33 Whitecross St
- Working Men's Institute
- Wye Bridge
- Architecture portal
- Wales portal
- Heritage Trail
- Monmouthpedia
51°49′13″N 2°43′27″W / 51.8203°N 2.7241°W / 51.8203; -2.7241