Valleys football club could become first to power its ground with water

A football club in the south Wales valleys could become the first in the country to power its home ground through hydropower.

If approved, plans would see floodlights at Cambrian United lit up by using water from the Nant Clydach to create energy, while a nearby school would also benefit from cheap electricity in the day.

Experts believe the potential is huge in valleys such as Rhondda, and thousands of streams could make villages and towns energy independent.

The boss of one communities trust said hydropower was "a no-brainer" which he said could bring prosperity to areas that have struggled since coalmines closed more than 30 years ago.

"The coal industry left deprivation," said Philip Williams, director of the Cambrian Village Trust.

"When the mines all shut there was deprivation, scarred landscapes, and the valleys have obviously struggled to regenerate themselves from those days."

The trust was set up to give locals opportunities to be active and has also seen the benefits of hydropower, after using one plant to power its café and learning facilities, reducing its bills from £2,900 a month to £350.

As the Rhondda valley is blessed with a landscape carved by powerful streams, Williams believes micro-hydro systems could benefit communities across the area.

These produce renewable electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water with a turbine, pump, or waterwheel.

Cambrian United bosses say the move is as much a part of a "business case" as any sustainability drive.

Founded in 1965, the club – known as the Sky Blues – play in the JD Cymru South league where they currently top the division.

It also runs a successful academy, which has just coached its 103rd young player to join a professional side.

Plans are set to be submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf council that would pave the way for Cambrian United's home to have its energy provided by power from nearby stream, the Nant Clydach.

Many more could soon follow, according to Chris Blake, who is the former director of a company that installs renewable energy technology around south Wales.

"There's enormous potential. We did a study which identified 20 potential hydro sites in Rhondda Cynon Taf alone," he said.

"Community energy projects bring people together to harness their own landscape for creating energy.

"But they can also produce financial returns for local investors and for the social enterprises that organise them," he added.