The utility said that the plant, which will be located approximately eight kilometers to the east of Crianlarich, will produce enough electricity to supply 1,750 homes. The submitted proposal is for a ‘run-of-river’ scheme, with no storage of water.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) commented that most of the water to power the scheme will be taken from the Allt Coire Chaorach, with smaller amounts being taken from the Allt Coire Chlach.
The water will be transported via a buried pipe to a powerhouse, before being returned to the river. SSE said that the scheme will only operate when there is sufficient natural water flow in the river. The electricity generated as a result will be fed to the existing nearby electricity grid via an underground cable.
The utility said that, as well as seeking consent to construct the hydroelectric generating components of the Chaorach proposal, it is also seeking consent for the abstraction, diversion and use of water for generating electricity.
Furthermore, now that Scotland’s 2005 water environment regulations have come into force, SSE is making an application to SEPA to enable abstraction, discharging and the necessary engineering works to be undertaken.
