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Monmouth New Hydro Scheme

This exciting New Hydro Scheme is the brainchild of a prominent local businessman. It is constructed on the site of the Old Monmouth Hydro Station. The original Monmouth Hydro Station commenced operations on 10th June 1899. In 1930 Monmouth Corporation sold the station to a subsidiary of the General Electric Company, which continued to operate it up until 1948. It finally closed down in 1953. The old plant comprised 3 35hp turbines made by Gilbert Gilkes & Co,together with standby steam engines and also a 100hp Ransoms,Sims & Jeffreys of Ipswich steam engine driving a 60kW generator. In 1922 the site was extended and larger turbines fitted. The new Hydro scheme works on the Archimedes Screw Principle and uses water from the River Monnow. The head of water is only 3.4 metres. Each "Screw" produces 75 kilowatts of power and turns at only 20 RPM. The new scheme commenced operations in February 2009. There are believed to be only two other similar schemes in the UK.