Green Highland Renewables will start work next week on two run-of-river hydro schemes in Glen Affric on land managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland, SSE and part of Wester Guisachan Estate.
The projects are a 2MW scheme on the Abhainn Gleann nam Fiadh and 1.5MW facility on the Allt Garbh.
The work is scheduled to finish in spring 2017 with each project operating for a minimum of 40 years.
The local community has been consulted throughout the development and will receive £5000 a year per MW, plus a 5% royalty payment.
Green Highland Renewables chief executive officer Mark Mathieson said: “Glen Affric is a site of international importance for its landscape and nature conservation value and we have worked very closely with Forest Enterprise Scotland, the Highland Council and the local community in the design and implementation of these schemes.
“To minimise the scheme’s impact, we have used existing electricity infrastructure put in place for the 1950s hydro developments at Loch Mullardoch and Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin.
“Throughout the construction phase we will keep all car parks clear, and there will be no path closures.
“Once the site is complete and fully remediated, there will be very little visual impact.”
Image: Green Highland Renewables
Easter kick off for Scottish hydro
Green Highland starts work next week on two run-of-river schemes
By EBS