Centre for Alternative Technology

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), a couple of miles north of Machynlleth up the Dyfi valley, is a working demonstration site for renewable energy, sustainable building, organic growing, and ecological living. Founded in 1974 on a disused slate quarry, it has been continuously running experiments and education programmes for over 50 years.

The site includes working examples of wind turbines, solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, a water-balanced cliff railway (the water-powered funicular that brings you up from the car park), composting toilets, sustainable timber buildings, and organic gardens. There are interactive exhibits aimed at all ages — it works well as a family destination, and many adults find it more interesting than expected. The graduate school on site also runs courses in sustainable architecture and ecology. Entrance has a charge; allow at least half a day.

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A story
CAT was founded in 1974 by a group of idealists who bought a disused slate quarry in the Dyfi valley with the idea of building a working sustainable community from scratch. In the 1970s, renewable energy and sustainable building were considered fringe concerns; CAT was demonstrating wind turbines, solar panels, and composting systems before most people had heard the terms. By the time these technologies went mainstream, CAT had 45 years of practical experience.

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