This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Garrogie hydro-electric given green light
26/06/2003
Proposals to construct and operate a hydro-electric
generating station at Garrogie, in the Highlands, were
approved today.
The Garrogie scheme, which will be developed by Innogy,
is for a 2.0 megawatt generating scheme in the River
Fechlin. It is located 20km north of Fort Augustus, in land
devoted predominantly to rough grazing.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"In March we announced our intention to produce 40% of
Scotland's electricity needs from renewable sources by
2020. Hydro power will play a major role in meeting this
target.
"The output of clean electricity from the Garrogie
proposal will be enough to meet the annual domestic demand
of 2000 average households.
"The decision to grant consent on this proposal followed
a lengthy consultation process to ensure that this project
would not come at unacceptable cost to the surrounding
environment.
"The Garrogie proposal demonstrates how clean energy can
be generated in a rural setting without adverse impact on
our natural heritage.
"This proposal not only delivers clear environmental
benefits, but is also a step towards securing Scotland's
position as a world leader in the renewable energy
technology sector."
Innogy plc was created in October 2000 as a result of
the de-merger of National Power. At present, Innogy hydro
power stations are located in Scotland and Wales.