Output at Simec’s Kinlochleven hydro plant on the Lochaber estate in Scotland has increased by 20% as result of ongoing upgrades.
The upgrades will eventually raise the overall capacity at the facility by 40%, the company added.
Simec said it is the first company to commit to new investment following a recent amendment to the renewable obligation in Scotland.
The changes paved the way for Kinlochleven to produce more than the 19.5MW of electricity for which it is accredited, at no extra cost to the consumer, the company added.
Simec Energy chief executive Jay Hambro said: “We are delighted to have stepped up our clean green power output with the Kinlochleven hydro station, powering more Scottish businesses and communities in an environmentally friendly way.
“As a committed investor, we are focused on maximising the site’s capacity to support local economic growth, as well as helping to generate more renewable energy in Scotland at no cost to the consumer.
“I’d like to thank our people, our business partners and not least, the Scottish government for helping is put into reality our vision of producing the low-carbon, sustainable energy for the local area.”