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Opening of first hydro station since 1960s
30/09/2002
The first new hydro power station to be built in Scotland since the 1960s, was opened today.
Scottish and Southern Energy's (SSE) Cuileig Power Station, near Ullapool, is a three Megawatt 'run of river' scheme, which means there's no dam. Instead, the water is diverted from the river, via a 2.5 kilometre underground pipe which feeds the power station. Once it has been used to drive the turbines it is returned to the river.
Hydro power will play a significant role in meeting the Scottish Executive's ambitious targets to increase the contribution of renewable resources in meeting Scotland's energy needs.
Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to the promotion of renewable energy in Scotland and we are now seeking views on the potential to generate as much as 40 per cent of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
"Our potential to generate electricity from renewable sources is one of the largest in Europe. Only by exploiting Scotland's renewable resources fully can we play a full part in delivering on International climate change commitments.
"This facility, the first new hydro scheme built by SSE since the 1960s, is a tremendous example of how renewable energy developments can co-exist with protecting Scotland's landscape.
"Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament on our Water Environment and Water Services Bill last week I stressed that careful management of our water environment brings economic benefits and environmental goods together. We are committed to balancing our environmental aspirations with Scotland's social and economic needs.
"This sensitive development provides a startling example of how this commitment is being delivered."
Scotland has enormous potential for renewable energy development. A recent study commissioned by the Executive revealed that Scotland's renewable resource is potentially enough to meet the country's electricity demand almost 10 times over. The Executive has recently introduced legislation obliging Scottish electricity suppliers to provide increasing amounts of renewable electricity.
Situated just off the A835 south of Ullapool, Cuileig is the first new hydro station to be built by SSE since the 1960s. Constructed by Scottish company, Miller Construction (now Morgan Civil Engineering). Most of the scheme, including the power station itself, is buried, so minimising the environmental impact. Some 40 people were employed at the peak of the construction phase.
The station will now be controlled - along with over 50 other main hydro stations in the north of Scotland - from SSE's offices in Perth. In all, the company plans to invest over £200 million in new renewable energy over the next five years.
Responses to the consultation document on Scotland's renewable energy potential are due by November 30 2002.