Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme EIA for SSE Renewables
Environmental consultancy for the Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme
ASH provided comprehensive environmental consultancy services for the Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme, Scotland's first large-scale conventional hydro project in nearly 50 years. We managed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and ensured environmental compliance throughout its development and construction.
Hydroelectric
EIA
LVIA
Challenge
Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme was the first major conventional hydroelectric scheme developed in Scotland in nearly 50 years. Comprising a capacity of 100MW, the project required our environmental consultancy support through the design, assessment and construction stages of the project to ensure its successful delivery.
Strategy
As the primary environmental consultant for the Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme, ASH managed a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and coordinated all specialist environmental and planning inputs. Working with local specialists proved fundamental to developing a successful restoration strategy for the project.
Results
The EIA was instrumental in securing the scheme's approval by Scottish Ministers. Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme was officially opened in 2009 and has been recognised with prestigious awards, including Best Project Award at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards in 2008.
Project Context
The Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme, located east of Fort Augustus in the Monadhliath mountains, is a landmark renewable energy project. With a 100MW capacity and an impressive 608m gross head, it's designed for high efficiency. Its complex infrastructure includes a 1km dam, an 11km aqueduct system, 8km of tunnels, and a cavern power station 250m underground, returning water to Loch Ness.
Our Brief
SSE commissioned ASH in 2001 to act as the project environmental consultants for the proposed Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme. Our core brief was to manage the comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, coordinate all specialist environmental inputs. When construction began in 2005 ASH was retained to assist with environmental compliance throughout the scheme's implementation and construction phases.
Our Approach
ASH adopted a thorough and integrated approach, managing the EIA process from initial planning through to application submission. Our support continued on the project throughout the construction stage.
Key actions included:
Planning
ASH was responsible for the overall management of the EIA for the hydroelectric scheme, ensuring all environmental considerations were addressed.
We skillfully coordinated inputs from a diverse team of specialist consultants, including Ecologists, Ornithologists, Hydrologists, Archaeologists and Architects, to ensure a holistic assessment.
Mitigation & compliance
ASH was retained by SSE throughout the construction phase (commencing 2005) to provide ongoing environmental consultancy and assist with compliance, making sure environmental regulations and best practices were adhered to during implementation.
Co-ordination
We oversaw the co-ordination and publication of the Environmental Statement for the Glendoe scheme in May 2003, a key milestone in the planning process.
The EIA managed by ASH was integral to the scheme's approval by Scottish Ministers in July 2005. Officially opened by the Queen in 2009 and fully operational in 2012, Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme has since received prestigious accolades, including the Best Project award at the Green Energy Awards in 2008 and the CEEQUAL Excellent Whole Project Award in 2013 for its high environmental performance.
The Outcome
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