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Author Topic: Newcastle Hydro  (Read 9324 times)

truescot

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Newcastle Hydro
« on: August 23, 2012 »
I was up the glen river a month or so ago and saw some workings re a hydro scheme - I googled but didn't come up with anything - now this has appeared? Is this correct? They are diverting 90% of the Glen River away and trawling up the forest for access? 

http://newcastlehydro.blogspot.co.uk/

How can this have gone through with no environmental impact to the Glen river environment or the shore.?
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RedLeader

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2012 »
First I've heard anything about this. Whereabouts exactly is all this?
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RedLeader

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2012 »
It doesn't exactly look tasteful, wonder what it's going to look like once it's done.
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truescot

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2012 »
I think as long as they "fix" up the area after they have left and landscape it so it's in keeping with the environment that will be a big plus - we can't really complain I'm sure - just look at the 3 main Dams in the central Mourne's, I'm sure people had reservations about those prior to building them (and they're slightly bigger!).

Concerning though that it's been completed in the background with little public knowledge, it would be good to know if they're going to use transmission lines or underground cables to get the electricity down - does anyone know if there are transformers/cables nearby? If so it would at last reduce the impact somewhat.
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Oisín

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2012 »
So thats what that big clearing we passed is all about. I was wondering what on earth it could be for.

As to the cables, I'm not 100% sure but here is my input. I think that like the reservoirs the generators are at the bottom of the mountain/gradient, because it is here where the water has the most kinetic energy from its movement downhill. Its this movement that turns the turbines and generates electricity.
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Kayakgirl

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2012 »
There was me thinking that they were making way for the chair lift to go up.
It looks a mess..
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Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

LandyLiam

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2012 »
FROM MOURNELIVE SITE

Quote
Construction Works at the Glen River:

Mourne Heritage Trust has been contacted over recent days by a number of people expressing concerns about the impacts of the micro hydroelectric scheme on the Glen River.

The Trust, as an independent charity, has no formal position in the statutory planning process and thus there was and is no obligation on landowners, project promoters, statutory agencies
to consult with us in the course of preparing or considering the application and/or undertaking works.

At our request, the landowner, Forest Service, has communicated our interest in obtaining more information on the scheme and discussing some aspects to its contact in the Education and Library Board. We have offered the expertise of our countryside team to inform reinstatement work as well as the opportunity for MHT to act as a conduit for information. Forest Service has pointed out that the extent to which it wishes to engage is now a decision for the Board to take.

We will of course make available to interested parties any relevant information we receive.
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Kayakgirl

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2012 »
I noticed on Friday that they have a sign up and the SEELB are sponsoring it. Might be an idea to contact them.
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Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

RedLeader

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Re: Newcastle Hydro
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2012 »
Maddening that the Forest Service, a public body tasked with protecting and managing our forests can allow something like this to happen very quietly. Whose forests are these after all.

Quote from: LandyLiam on September 02, 2012
FROM MOURNELIVE SITE

Quote
Construction Works at the Glen River:

Mourne Heritage Trust has been contacted over recent days by a number of people expressing concerns about the impacts of the micro hydroelectric scheme on the Glen River.

The Trust, as an independent charity, has no formal position in the statutory planning process and thus there was and is no obligation on landowners, project promoters, statutory agencies
to consult with us in the course of preparing or considering the application and/or undertaking works.

At our request, the landowner, Forest Service, has communicated our interest in obtaining more information on the scheme and discussing some aspects to its contact in the Education and Library Board. We have offered the expertise of our countryside team to inform reinstatement work as well as the opportunity for MHT to act as a conduit for information. Forest Service has pointed out that the extent to which it wishes to engage is now a decision for the Board to take.

We will of course make available to interested parties any relevant information we receive.
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