Four hydro schemes approved by Scottish Government

Four hydro schemes on the Glen Falloch Estate and Crianlarich will supply enough electricity for 4,100 homes.

The schemes have been approved by the Scottish Government and will create up to 50 jobs in construction.

In July 2009, Osspower Ltd submitted applications for consent to construct and operate four hydro electric stations at Glen Falloch Estate near Crianlarich, with a combined generating capacity of 6.7 Megawatts (MW). These are Allt Fionn (2.1 MW), Ben Glas (1.6 MW), Derrydarroch (2 MW) and Upper Falloch (1 MW).

The Scottish Government's target is to meet 50 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2020. In 2008, 22 per cent of electricity demand came from renewables.

There is around 7 Gigawatts of renewables capacity installed, under construction or consented around Scotland, which will take Scotland beyond the interim target of 31 per cent of Scotland's electricity demand from renewables by 2011.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland has an untapped potential for smaller hydro schemes which can create green energy and tackle climate change."

"In line with the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Plan, these developments will enable the Park to promote the increased use of energy from renewable sources and will provide a welcome employment boost."

Further information:
The Scottish Government