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AT THE PUMPHOUSE: From left, Lord Elis-Thomas, Emyr Jones and Tegwyn Jones.[/caption]
The chairman of the Welsh Assembly's environment and sustainability committee Dafydd Elis-Thomas visited a farm in his constituency today (September 14) to see how steep slopes, fast flowing water and a 90-inch annual rainfall help generate power for the National Grid.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd AM Lord Elis-Thomas joined Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones and other union officials at Talglannau, Mallwyd, an upland family farm run by union member Tegwyn Jones, his wife Catrin and sons Guto and Huw.
In 2001, they built a 93KW hydro electric scheme on the farm which generates enough electricity for about 70 homes and they have now almost completed another 100KW scheme, which will generate electricity for 90 homes. They are also planning a third hydro scheme - a smaller 28KW facility.
Tegwyn said: "Our diversification into hydro-electric generation brings extra income to the farm and therefore enables Guto and Huw to gain employment from the holding.
"I have a passion for generating clean and renewable energy but it is often tempered by the frustrations of working through the logjam of red tape which has greatly hindered our work in developing the hydro schemes.
"Some of these frustrations include the protracted time it takes to get permission from the Environment Agency and the Welsh Government's highways department."
Tegwyn's inspiration in setting up the hydro schemes has been his great interest in the fact that many upland farms had their own schemes years ago.
His grandfather, the late Roland Evans, set up many hydro schemes in the area in the 1930s, including one to serve Dinas Mawddwy village which ran for 30 years. The whole issue of hydro schemes is, therefore, very much in his blood.
Tegwyn's first scheme has now been running for over eight years and the income it produces has given a tremendous boost to the farming operations, with minimal labour input and low maintenance. Much of the work on the power house and pipeline was done by himself with the assistance of a local contractor.
But the one big drawback is that there is no direct power connection for the family's needs. Like everyone else, they have to pay for their electricity.
The family's holdings currently extend to a total of 1,030 hectares comprising Talglannau, Braich Llwyd and Gelliddolen in Mallwyd and a further 205 acres at the recently-purchased farm known as Elgar, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth.
All of the land is farmed organically and stocking includes 750 Welsh mountain ewes and 500 Lleyn ewes. The lambs are sold through live markets or directly to Dunbia slaughterhouse.
A total of 27 suckler cows are also kept with the calves sold as stores in Dolgellau market at 18-24 months.
"Tegwyn can certainly be considered an enterprising and successful farmer and needs to be congratulated warmly on his achievement," said Emyr Jones.
Both Tegwyn and Catrin Jones also have much wider interests and contribute immensely to their local communities. He is also a well known name in bardic circles and eisteddfodau and has composed many outstanding works of poetry.