UK-based energy generation company SSE is set to invest £30m to develop its 7.5MW Glasa hydro-electric project in Ardross, Ross-shire following the clearance from Scottish government.
The development comes after the developer stated that it would terminate the project as the UK Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) level was reduced to 0.7 per MW after conduct of a banding review in July 2012.
However, in September 2012, the government of Scotland retained one ROC per MW support level for the conventional hydro projects.
SSE renewables managing director Jim Smith stated that the company shares a strong partnership with Scotland in hydropower sector and is pleased to announce its investment plans for the project.
“The support given by the Scottish Government in retaining the ROC banding for new hydro effectively led to SSE’s decision to proceed with the Glasa scheme,” added Smith.
Meanwhile, Scottish Renewables has welcomed the consent given by the government for the project, stating that it reflects country’s growing capacity in the energy diversification.
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Joss Blamire noted: “The decision by SSE to invest in the Glasa hydro project means that communities and businesses will stand to benefit from clean, reliable, renewable energy for years to come. We now have enough hydro in Scotland to power the equivalent of more than 965,000 homes.”
The construction of the project is expected to commence by summer 2013, while completion is scheduled in autumn of 2015.