Hydro Generation Plans in Glen Lyon
Hydro-power is not new to the glen. The flax mill at Chesthill along with the two estate saw mills (Chesthill and Glenlyon) were powered by water in the mid to late 1800’s, the saw and grain mills until more recently (1960’s). Glenlyon, Chesthill and Meggernie Estates all had hydro schemes built in the 1930s and, immediately following World War II, the Scottish Hydro-Electric Board constructed its large-scale schemes at the western end of the glen (which has effectively precluded the development of small-scale schemes in the upper part of the glen).
Now, in response to government initiatives and calls for renewable energy, seven small scale - schemes are currently under consideration in the glen east of Bridge of Balgie, for which flow measurements and environmental impact assessment have been, or are being, conducted. |
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There are three schemes ready to go to planning - Innerwick, Inverenian and Invervar - with four further schemes under consideration and almost a year away from completing feasibility and environmental studies: Camusvrachan (Innerwick /North Chesthill), Allt da Ghob (South Chesthill), and two schemes on the south side at Roroeyre and Roromore.
Impact Assessment
All of the schemes are dependant upon the provision of appropriate grid connections by Scottish & Southern Energy; SSE has been commissioned to carry out detailed design and planning work.
As part of this process, they will carry out an environment impact assessment. It is currently anticipated that the grid connection will be a simple upgrade to 33 kV of the existing 11 kV line running through Glenlyon.
This is the same voltage as supplies all properties along the north bank of Loch Tay (and up much of the west coast of Scotland). The connection should be available by about the end of 2009. In this event, it envisaged that the first three schemes – Invervar, Inverinian and Innerwick – will be constructed during 2009; the other schemes, if viable, will be constructed in 2010 at the very earliest.
The schemes are intrinsically simple and use standard technology. They are all small scale ‘run of river’ type with no storage. There are three basic features: the intake; the pipeline; and the powerhouse.
The Intakes
These will be constructed so as to take advantage of natural features and will be virtually invisible. They operate on a basis of a small sill across the burn that ensures that a continuing flow of water (as determined by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency on the basis of flow data) goes down the burn. Some of the water above the specified minimum level will flow into the pipes, all the rest will go down the burn. Accordingly, any water extraction further down the burn will be unaffected by the schemes.
The Pipelines
These will be buried and, as far as practicable, be below existing tracks.
The Powerhouses
These will be located and designed to cause minimum visual and environmental impact, in particular noise levels will be minimised by insulation and other measures based on advice from noise consultants. In all cases bar possibly one, where plans are at an early stage, water from the power houses will be discharged back to their original burns below the power house and in the same condition as it entered the pipeline.
Construction of the schemes will, inevitably, cause some disruption but measures will be taken to minimise the effect. The transportation of materials and equipment along the public road up the glen will be the subject of detailed arrangements agreed by P&K Council designed to minimise inconvenience to road users (as has been done for extraction of timber from the glen and for road repairs).
Rural incomes are falling. Employment of large numbers of glen people need to be secured and developed. Opportunities for farm diversification are limited (essentially conservation schemes and tourism). This is an opportunity, not without considerable risk, which will enable estate and farm businesses to put their operations onto a more viable basis and, accordingly, assist in securing employment in the glen in the longer term and continuing to underpin the local community and society in other ways.
Potential
In a wider context, these schemes, have the potential to supply renewable electricity for about 6-7000 homes, mainly local such is the nature and way that electrical power is managed and delivered, and in addition will result in an annual saving of some 6500 – 7000 tons carbon equivalent per annum, and a reduction of significant quantities of harmful sulphur emissions to the atmosphere, depending upon the levels of sulphur in the fuel (coal or oil).
Those estates involved in developing this concept have worked closely together, have consulted and engaged a wide range of Government agencies and independent consultants, along with discussing concerns locally, with the aim of delivering a project that impacts and disrupts as little as possible, and delivers long - term benefits both locally and nationally.
We hope this provides a broad indication of the likely developments and that we all will have support in going forward.
Glenlyon Hydro Partnership Contacts:
Meggernie:
Bill Bateman 01786 462519 or 01786 841308
Innerwick:
Roger Whewell 01887-886208
South Chesthill:
Alex Jamieson 01738-451111
North Chesthill:
Alastair Riddell 01887-877267
Roro/Roromore:
Green Highland Renewables Ltd 0131- 225-5225
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