The Scottish Executive has given the go-ahead for Scotland’s largest hydroelectric power plant for almost 50 years.
Consent has been granted for Perth-based Scottish and Southern Energy’s (SSE) 100MW Glendoe power plant, under Section 36 of the Electricity Act, 1989.
The project, estimated to cost £140M (US$246M), is located in Glendoe in the western end of the Monadhliath mountains, to the east of Fort Augustus in Inverness-shire. It is the country’s first large-scale hydro plant to be built since 1957.
The power station itself will be located underground, close to the south east corner of Loch Ness. SSE said that Glendoe will provide electricity for almost 250,000 homes and generate 400 jobs during its construction phase.
SSE Chief Executive Ian Merchant said: ‘As the most efficient hydro scheme in the country, [Glendoe] will be exceptionally flexible and will have a significant part to play in meeting peak demand for power.’
The scheme involves the construction of a 1000m long, 35m high dam, to impound a reservoir situated at the head of Glen Tarff.
Preparatory work at the site will start immediately, with full work commencing in spring 2006. Construction is likely to take three years, followed by a commissioning period and the opening of the plant in 2008.
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