Scottish and Southern Energy has awarded a contract for a new hydropower plant in Scotland, the company's first hydro project since the 1960s. The $6 million scheme will be built by Miller Civil Engineering Services Ltd.
The plant is to be sited on the river Cuileig near Ullapool. With environmental and visual impact a key consideration, the power station and penstock will be buried underground.
The station will have a generating capacity of 3 MW. Work was due to start before the end of 2000 and the unit is expected to become operational in October 2001.
The project will involve construction of a small intake weir from which water will be taken via a 2.5 km pipeline to the power station. From the turbine it will be returned to the river. The plant will operate from a head of 150 m.
The potential for developing the catchment area around the river Cuileig has been recognised since the 1950s, according to Scottish and Southern Energy spokesman David Lee. "The power station will be a useful addition to Scotland's renewable energy resources and contribute to the targets to reduce emissions." Consent for the project was granted earlier this year by the Scottish Executive.
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