A monster load negotiated steep and twisty roads yesterday on its way from Loch Ness to Inverness Harbour.
The 95tonne load, which consisted of an old inlet valve from the Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) power station at Foyers, took about four hours to get to the city’s harbour – a total distance of 20 miles.
Two lorries were connected to either side of the platform carrying the component for increased power up steep slopes and to give more control when turning corners.
The load left Foyers at 11am and travelled along the B852 road to Dores, exiting the village at about 12.20pm. It then moved onto the B862 Dores to Inverness road, dealing with more bends, narrow road sections and steep inclines, before turning onto the city’s Sir Walter Scott Drive. The load then went onto the A9 and made its way to Inverness Harbour, arriving there at about 3pm.
A second inlet valve will be transported from the hydro station and follow the same route to the city’s harbour at the same time tomorrow.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is currently undertaking a maintenance and upgrade programme at the power station to replace a number of key components which have reached the end of their operational lives.
The replacement components were delivered to the power station last year.
Motorists were made aware of the heavy load in advance, so the queue of traffic yesterday was kept to a minimum.
Jo Simpson, plant manager at Foyers Power Station, said: “Replacing these key components will help to ensure the continued safe, reliable and efficient long term operation of Foyers pumped storage power station. These components have been in operation since the 1970s with a mid-life overhaul in the 1990s.
“We expect the new modern components will serve the power station for decades to help maximise its availability to generate hydro powered electricity.”
Electricity has been generated in the Foyers area since 1896 when it served the aluminium smelter until its closure in 1971. In 1974, the Foyers combined pumped storage and conventional hydro scheme began operating.