Consultation for Glen Earrach Energy hydro project on Loch Ness set to open next week
Plans to introduce a new hydro scheme using Loch Ness waters are set to open to feedback from the public from next Tuesday (October 22).
The proposed Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) project on the Balmacaan Estate would make use of what the developers describe as one of the best-suited sites in Europe for pumped storage hydro technology, pumping water between the world-famous loch and Loch nam Breac Dearga.
After early-stage engagement with the community this summer, the company is now consulting on its updated plan for the development which, if given the go-ahead, would represent an investment of more than £2 billion and create hundreds of jobs during construction.
A GEE spokesperson said: “We are committed to seeking the views of the local community and other stakeholders. All feedback will be taken into consideration by the project team as we finalise the design and complete the environmental assessments.”
The consultation will be open online next week on the developer’s website at glenearrach.consultation.ai and four in-person events open to all, will be held over October and November:
· Wednesday 23 October, 4pm-8pm, Craigmonie Centre, Glen Urquhart High School, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XA
· Thursday 24 October, 3pm-7pm, Wildside Centre, Foyers, IV2 6UN
· Thursday 7 November, 10am-2pm, Glenmoriston Millenium Hall, Invermoriston, IV63 7YA
· Friday 8 November, 2pm-6pm, Balnain Hall, Balnain, IV63 6TJ
Feedback can be provided through the virtual consultation room at the link above, by filling in a form at one of the public meetings or via email at info@glenearrach.energy. Members of the public can also send their feedback to Glen Earrach Consultation c/o AECOM, 1 Tanfield, Edinburgh, EH3 5DA
Concerns on the potential environmental and economic impact of such schemes have been raised after several proposed pumped storage hydro schemes have been proposed for Loch Ness, as this could be the fifth one on the world-famous loch.
Board members of the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board (NDSFB) commented after an initial consultation in May, sharing their concerns over the scale of the development, saying the scheme could, by itself, alter the level of Loch Ness by half a metre within 15 hours.
According to its developers, this scheme is expected to have a storage capacity of up to 30,000 MWh and the capability to generate up to 1,500 MW of electricity – enough to power around 1 million homes per cycle.
Comprehensive environmental impact assessments are underway and mitigation measures will be used where needed to reduce any impact on the environment.
The public consultation will close on Friday, November 15, by which all feedback must be provided.
Following the consultation, the company will submit a Section 36 application to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) of the Scottish Government seeking consent to construct and operate the scheme, after which there will be an opportunity for the public to provide comments in the form of representations to Scottish Ministers.
