Scottish utility company SSE plc has confirmed it will proceed in constructing the 7.5-MW Glasa hydroelectric plant, HydroWorld.com has learned.
The project — previously called “Kildermorie” — was approved by Scottish ministers in 2010 before being tabled due to concerns about the future of the United Kingdom’s Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) program.
“The support given by the Scottish government in retaining the ROC banding for new hydro effectively led to SSE’s decision to proceed with the Glasa scheme,” SSE Managing Director of Renewables Jim Smith said.
Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer with completion scheduled for Fall 2015. Once finished, SSE said the project will be the largest hydropower plant built in the U.K. in more than five years and the second largest conventional project to be built in over half a century.
The company noted that the announcement comes hours before Scottish hydropower developers will gather to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the country’s Hydro-Electric Development Act of 1943, which helped create dozens of hydroelectric plants that are still in use today.
“Hydroelectricity and its role in producing Scotland’s energy is one of the greatest industrial success stories of post-war Britain, Smith said. “Hydro drove not only industrial development, but also immense social achievement — something which still rings true today as the Scottish government continues to grow delivery of clean energy through renewables schemes for the 21st Century.”
SSE is also working to develop the 600-MW Choire Ghlais (also spelled “Coire Glas”) pumped- storage project, which is currently awaiting planning consent from the Scottish Ministers.
