Construction work starts on Blackwater Dam hydro scheme

SIMEC Energy, part of the GFG Alliance, started construction work on its new hydropower facility at Blackwater Dam, near Kinlochleven, on Monday of this week in response to updated Scottish government guidance on construction work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, writes Mark Entwistle.

The project, which will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 1,200 Scottish homes, forms part of the GFG Alliance’s strategy to integrate renewable energy development with its industrial operations in Scotland and globally.

The company says work on the Blackwater Hydro scheme will adhere to recently revised Scottish Government guidance, which enables building and construction work to resume with social distancing safeguards in place for workers and local residents.

General Manager of SIMEC Lochaber Power, Tom Uppington, commented: ‘Across our aluminium and power operations in Lochaber, we have been following both UK and Scottish government

Construction work was due to start this week on the new hydro scheme at Blackwater Dam, pictured, near Kinlochleven.

guidance closely to ensure our staff, contractors and wider members of the public are kept safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Renewable energy from hydropower schemes is critical to the long-term sustainability of GFG Alliance by providing a clean and reliable source of power to industrial assets such as ALVANCE’s aluminium smelter in Lochaber.’

In addition to hydro schemes, SIMEC is seeking to develop a 168MW wind farm on the Glenshero estate, near Laggan, as part of the GFG Alliance’s ambition to be carbon neutral across all its businesses by 2030 and in line with Scottish Government legislation last year committing Scotland to net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045.

Local residents that have any problems to report are asked to contact Mark Tayler at SIMEC on mark.tayler@lochabersmelter.com