Excellent Renewable Energy News

Proposals for a brand new hydro-electric scheme with pumped water storage, at Loch Lochy, north of Fort William, should be welcomed across Scotland. Such a scheme would reduce any arguments in favour of building further wind farms, including in Fife.

The new hydro-electric system, the largest in the UK for over 40 years, would have 600 megawatts capacity, the equivalent of almost 600 large wind turbines.  Unlike turbines, which only generate power when the wind blows, energy supply would be controllable. Vast amounts of energy could be stored through pumped water, to be released as required.

Unlike large scale wind farms, which cause a visual blight on otherwise attractive countryside, Scottish and Southern Energy could build a scheme very sympathetic to the environment: for example, with the electricity generating station underground.

Renewable energy is the way of the future – and Scotland is leading the way.  I look forward to this clean energy scheme coming to fruition at Loch Lochy.  In Fife, we do not have the scope for such large scale generation of electricity, but a number of organisations are looking at various ‘run of the water’ river possibilities that create skilled local employment opportunities.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.