Major Green Energy Project at Loch Ness Challenged Over Salmon and Ancient Woodland Threats
A Scottish Government advisory body has lodged an objection to a proposed green energy project on the south side of Loch Ness.
NatureScot, which advises Scottish Ministers on natural heritage matters, has objected to plans for a pumped storage hydro scheme at Loch Kemp near Whitebridge.
It has raised concerns about the potential impact on salmon and freshwater pearl mussel in the River Moriston, which is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), along with the loss and damage of protected woodland habitats in the Ness Woods.
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Planning application submitted for Loch Kemp hydro scheme near Loch Ness
Plans for the 600MW pumped storage scheme were lodged by developer, Statera Energy, in December.
If given the go-ahead, it would use the existing Loch Kemp as the upper storage reservoir and Loch Ness as the lower reservoir.
As well as reducing carbon emissions and delivering greater energy security, construction is expected to give a £30 million boost to the Highland economy and employ more than 350 people each year, during construction.
But as part of the planning process, NatureScot has lodged a detailed objection with the Scottish Government's energy consents unit and asked for more information.
A spokesperson said: “While we recognise the positive contribution the Kemp Pump Storage Hydro Scheme could make towards Scotland’s net zero goals, we have objected to the proposal because of the areas of the protected woodland habitats that would be lost and damaged in the Ness Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
“This proposal could also affect the salmon and freshwater pearl mussel in River Moriston SAC. Therefore, we have objected until there is more information to clarify and mitigate potential impacts on Atlantic salmon migrating between the Moriston and the sea.
“In particular, salmon could be affected by changes in water levels in Loch Ness, and their migration could be delayed by attraction to the Kemp intake.
“Freshwater pearl mussel depend on a healthy salmon population.
“We have given our advice to the Energy Consents Unit, and it is now for Scottish ministers to decide whether this scheme meets the strict legal tests required for proposals of this nature.”
Andrew Troup, of Statera Energy, said: “We, along with a number of our environmental consultants, have been working with NatureScot on a compensatory package for Ness Woods SAC, as well providing further information on the Moriston SAC.
“Discussions are ongoing as part of the planning process.”
Ness District Salmon Fishery Board (NDSFB) has also raised concerns about proposed projects - including Loch Kemp and the Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) project on the Balmacaan Estate - using Loch Ness.
“The recent flood of ever larger pump storage hydro schemes will have huge environmental implications, in particular when constructed using a natural loch as the lower reservoir,” it said in a statement.
“These large, natural, lochs are important places and are highly valued by society for their scenery and the recreational, tourism and ecosystem services they provide, none more so that Loch Ness. Loch Ness is simply too important for these biodiversity destroying schemes to be permitted, especially when there are other less sensitive sites already under consideration.”
The Woodland Trust, which describes itself as the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, also submitted an objection to the Loch Kemp proposals.
It cited direct loss and deterioration of a number of ancient and long-established woodland areas and veteran trees in Ness Woods and Easter Ness Forest.
