Scottish Govt approves two new hydro schemes

5 December 2008


The 3.5MW Black Rock scheme, near Evanton in Ross-shire, and the 2.5MW scheme on Allt Coire Chaorach, near Crianlarich, are together capable of powering over 3500 homes.

Announcing the approval, Scotland's Energy Minister, Jim Mather, said the Government is determined to exploit all of Scotland's diverse renewables potential and will continue to support sustainable hydro development - both large and small - to tackle climate change and contribute to economic growth.

'Harnessing new hydro power brings economic benefits while reducing emissions and there is a commercial future in the huge untapped hydro potential up and down Scotland,' he said. 'These two schemes are prime examples…that new hydro power has a bright future in Scotland.'

In March 2007, Scottish and Southern Energy applied for consent to construct and operate a run-of-river hydroelectric station on the Allt Coire Chaorach near Crianlarich. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, as the relevant planning authority, supported the application. No representations were received during the course of the consultation exercise.

In December 2006, RWE Npower plc applied for consent to construct and operate a run-of-river scheme on the lower catchment of the River Glass, between Redburn and Evanton. Sixteen representations were received during the course of the consultation, with no objections.

The Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit is currently processing 32 renewable project applications - 24 wind farms, seven hydro projects and one wave project - with more applications expected.

The Government has determined 22 energy applications, including approval for 16 renewable and one non-renewable project since May 2007 - more determinations than over the whole of the previous four years. New applications are being dealt with in line with its new target to come to a decision within nine months, where there is no public inquiry.

Scottish Government targets are to meet 50% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020, and an interim target of 31% by 2011.

Total installed capacity of renewables in Scotland is over 3GW. Adding in all the potential energy from already consented renewable projects to those already operating brings the total to 5.5GW, meaning the 2011 target will be surpassed.




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