The public is to get a second chance to view plans for a new pumped storage hydro scheme on Loch Ness at exhibitions next week.
Developers Stratera Energy unveiled plans for the 600MW project near Whitebridge last November.
If approved, it would be the third pumped storage scheme operating, or in the pipeline, at Loch Ness.
The company outlined its plans at a series of exhibitions last year.
What would the scheme be like?
It said it could potentially save up to 500,000 tonnes of CO2 every year by displacing fossil fuel generation.
The project would inject £20 million into the local economy each year for up to four years.
Up to 300 jobs would be created during construction and there would be six to eight permanent jobs in operations.
Pumped hydro is said to be one of the most sustainable forms of energy generation.
At times of excess generation, the system uses surplus electricity to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir.
The water is stored in the higher reservoir and released when there is a shortage of supply. This generates electricity using a hydro turbine.
The Statera project is located within the Dell Estate about eight miles from Fort Augustus. It would use Loch Kemp as an upper reservoir and Loch Ness as the lower reservoir.
It says it would be relatively unobtrusive and contribute to efforts to tackle climate change.
The importance of energy security
Andrew Troup of Stratera Energy says the creation of more pumped storage schemes is going to be vital. He says it will make energy supplies more secure.
“With the current crisis created by the Ukrainian war, people now appreciate how important energy security is for our country.
“Pumped storage is a very straightforward way to address the challenges of the intermittency of some of the renewable energy technologies and help get to net zero.
“But you need a certain combination of geological features to make it work and Loch Ness is an ideal location with its mountains and lochs.”
The developer commissioned a series of studies as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment. They will outline the findings at three public exhibitions.
Mr Troup adds: “We would urge people to come along and find out more.
“We outlined the broad plan in our first round of exhibitions and this is us coming back with more detailed proposals, ready to take any feedback and make final changes before submitting an application in spring 2023.”
Statera says its project could work in addition to SSE’s existing pumped hydro scheme at Foyers and the ILI Group’s Red John development which was approved last year.
The exhibitions will be held between 1pm-7.30pm at Glenmoriston Millennium Hall, Invermoriston, on December 6; The Wildside Centre, Whitebridge on December 7 and Fort Augustus Village Hall, December 8.
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