WIREDGOV

Project to produce enough power for over 800 homes.

A hydro power scheme which could produce enough power for over 800 homes each year has been officially opened.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney today visited the new jointly owned £3.5 million project in Glen Fyne, Argyll to see it in action.

It is now connected to the national grid, and it is estimated it will produce around 3.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) each year, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of over 800 homes.

The project has been developed by four partners, including Here We Are, which is an innovative community organisation which aims to assist with the development and sustainability of the local community.

Speaking as he visited the site, Mr Swinney said:

“Scotland was one of the first countries to harness power from its waters and the world’s first to develop hydro power.

“We have the capacity to do much more with our wonderful hydro resource, to generate clean power and store the vast power of renewables.

“The Scottish Government is defining a distinctive approach to Scotland’s future energy provision – putting communities at the heart of decisions about their local energy system – and empowering them to take an economic stake in new developments.

“Merk Hydro, which has been driven forward in part by the local community, is a prime example of a community working with the renewables industry – where all stakeholders stand to benefit from greater partnership working in bringing forward renewable energy projects.

“The Scottish Government believes this approach offers Scotland the opportunity for improved community empowerment, a leading and respected renewable energy industry, and increased local economic and social benefits.”

Christina Noble, from community organisation Here We Are, said:

“Today is the culmination of nine years of effort. We are proud that Mr Swinney has come to celebrate with us the opening of a scheme that many within the sector considered could not be built, so it was nearly impossible to finance it. We look forward to wet days ahead when, rather than bemoaning the rain, we’ll be anticipating the revenue it generates.”

Notes To Editors

The project has been developed by four parties - MEG Renewables, Richard Grubb & family, CRF Hydro Power Ltd and Here We Are/Our Hydro Ltd.

MEG Renewables is the renewable energy subsidiary of Mackays Retail Group, the Scottish based fashion retailer which trades as M & Co in more than 250 towns and cities throughout the UK.

Richard Grubb’s family have been steeped in hydro-electric history for over 80 years. The Grubb family were Quaker millers, using water power along the River Suir in their mills. Their first turbine was installed 80 years ago. Their participation in the Merk is a family venture; the family (and CRF Hydro Power ltd.) already own Garbhaig Hydro on Loch Maree.

CRF Hydro is one of Scotland’s foremost hydro operators, with over 30 years’ experience in hydro power generation, and currently operates a run of river 500kW scheme and a 500kW storage scheme at Achnamara in Argyll, as well as a 1.1MW storage scheme near to Loch Maree in Wester Ross (currently being upgraded to 1.95MW) and a smaller 15kW scheme on their own farm.

Here We Are is an innovative community organisation, established in 1998, with a core aim to assist with the development and the sustainability of the local community. The centre is situated at the popular site beside the Loch Fyne Oyster bar, at the head of Loch Fyne. It is charity run by a committee of 9 local people who meet regularly throughout the year. It is the owner of Our Power, a Community Interest Company supplying biomass heat.