Plea for more green energy after hydro scheme rejection

An impassioned plea for green energy has been made by a Lochaber councillor after an application for a hydro scheme at Allt Mhuic on Loch Arkaig was rejected by Highland Council last week.

Caol and Mallaig councillor Ben Thompson said he is ‘a strong advocate for renewable energy’ and was disappointed by the south planning committee’s decision to reject vento ludens Limited’s plans at a meeting last Tuesday, March 12.

Mr Thompson felt the committee failed to address the ‘bigger issue’ of climate change during the debate and focused instead on issues concerning the finish of the turbine house and the size of the access track. He also felt the local economic benefit of hydro power was glossed over at the meeting.

‘It is not widely understood that hydro has been transformational in making Highland estates economically viable, in a way they haven’t been, possibly ever.’

He continued: ‘I have great sympathy for the objection that the visual impact of hydro schemes is costly, even after the significant mitigation work required by Scottish Natural Heritage. But when the aim is reducing pollution to save lives, address climate change and pump cash into highland glens to make them financially viable, it is a price worth paying.’

Councillors did, however, approve a separate application from vento ludens Limited to build a river hydro scheme at Inverigan, near the site of the Massacre of Glencoe.

A public meeting about the scheme took place in January following a backlash from the local community who feared for the area’s heritage and wildlife. However, there were no formal objections from the statutory consultees.