Balmacaan Hydro Scheme
| Project type | Hydro-electric pumped storage |
| Current status | In development |
| Last website update | June 2010 |
| Location | Near Invermoriston |
| Capacity | Between 300-600MW |
| Homes powered | 238,000 homes* |
*Based on household consumption of 3,300kWh a year.
Pumped storage schemes involve two bodies of water located at different heights. During periods of low demand for power, electricity is used to pump water from the lower loch to the upper reservoir. This water is then released to create energy at a time when demand is high. A key advantage of developing a pumped storage scheme at Balmacaan is the site's proximity to a large lower reservoir (Loch Ness) and its significant elevation of around 500m between the upper and lower reservoir sites over a relatively short distance.
The proposed scheme would involve the construction of a dam and creation of a new reservoir formed at the existing natural loch nam Breac Dearga. Water would be transferred between the new reservoir and an underground cavern power station via a headrace tunnel, and between the power station and Loch Ness via a tailrace tunnel.
Following the announcement of scoping for the scheme we will be undertaking consultation with local communities next year prior to submitting plans for Section 36 consent from Scottish Ministers in 2012.
More information
Scheme location (754 KB) Preliminary scheme arrangement (679 KB) Context (2.09 MB)
Project enquiries:
Procurement enquiries
Our communications team is unable to respond to speculative procurement enquiries. If you are interested in supplying goods and services for this project, please refer to our FAQ.
Media enquiries should be directed to:
Susan Scobie at SSE on +44 (0)845 0760 530
General enquiries can be sent to:
Susan Scobie
Corporate Affairs
SSE | Inveralmond House 200 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ
T: +44 (0)78108 58980
E: susan.scobie@sse.com
