Largest locally owned hydro scheme launched

The UK’S largest communityowned hydro scheme is being launched near Rumbling Bridge in Kinross-shire.

Business minister Paul Wheelhouse will officially launch the scheme tomorrow. He will be joined by members of the community, landown- ers and businesses who have worked to create the project including Energy4all, Energy Prospects Co-operative, Grant Ltd, Glendevon Energy, Cairneyhill , Kestral and Local Energy Scotland.

The project was funded by The Rumbling Bridge Community Hydro Society (RBCHS), who in October 2015 raised £2.9 million in a community share offer to fund the installation. The scheme attractedmorethan660members, including local residents and renewable energy supporters living nationwide.

Paul Phare, chairman of RBCHS, said: “This project is the largest community owned hydro scheme, not just in Scotland but in the UK. Over 15,000 man-hours have been put into this project by Grant Ltd our civil works contractor alone, with many more hours from other stakeholders.

“This project is an important step in the green energy revolution, because a community is taking control of an energy generating asset and will run the business democratically for the benefit of the community.”