The ‘Chaorach’ scheme is to be fed by runoff gathered from the Allt Coire Chaorach area, primarily, plus some from Allt Coire Chlach. The power house will be fed by buried pipeline and sited some 8km from Crainlarich.
SSE said in a statement that the hydro plant would only operate when there is enough flow in the river, which will ensure compatibility with environmental needs. Power will be fed into the transmission grid.
Currently, the company is also developing the 100MW Glendoe hydro project near Fort Augustus, which involves construction of a dam, power tunnel and underground power house. The project is the biggest hydro scheme to be built in the UK for decades.
