Proposed Ardverikie pumped storage scheme sets alarm bells ringing
Plans to build the UK’s largest pumped storage hydropower scheme on Ardverikie estate have met with a cool response from residents at the Lochaber end of the A86.
Gilkes Energy plans two dams to control water levels at Loch Laggan - used as an upper reservoir - and Loch Earba as the lower reservoir, connecting both with a deep, 3km-long underground waterway system.
The move which would see as many as 400 workers descend on the peaceful spot, close to the historic boundary between Lochaber and Badenoch, turning it and the narrow roads around it into a major construction site for as long as four years.
John Fotheringham, chairman of Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Community Council, said: “Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Community Council (SBRBA CC) is fully aware of the proposal which is at a very early stage.”
He told us: “Although I believe there have been some preliminary discussions with Highland Council planners, Gilkes Energy has a long way to go before it will be able to submit a planning application.
“As the only access is the A86 trunk road, and that is the road that the majority of our residents use to go south, it will have a massive impact on our community.
“We have also been in contact with Kate Forbes MSP concerning the fact that both SSE Renewables and Gilkes Energy are claiming that pumped storage is not a renewable and therefore ineligible for Community Benefit for the lifetime of the project.”
Gilkes Energy is sending two representatives to the April meeting of SBRBA community council, which will be held in Kilmonivaig Church Hall this week.
“Having had experience of the planning application and its aftermath relating to Coire Glas, we are better equipped to evaluate their scheme and minimise the impact on our community,” added Mr Fortheringham.
Concerns being raised include:
▮ The impacts of heavy loads and increased traffic on the already overloaded (and crumbling) roads in the area
▮ The influx of 400 workers and the temporary housing/ infrastructure to accommodate them
▮ The fact that planning application conditions are not adhered to and are often changed
▮ The environmental destruction
▮ Loss of, or reduced, access. Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Kate Willis said: “Given the ongoing issues with Coire Glas, talk of another enormous scheme is extremely concerning.
“To meet our climate targets we need to reduce our carbon emissions now, not in 10 or 20 years, and we urgently need to reverse biodiversity loss and restore the Highland environment.
“These enormous pumped storage schemes will only contribute further to biodiversity loss, causing irreparable damage to lochs, rivers, peatland and wildlife during the construction phases and beyond.”