Maldie

This scheme is located about 3km east of Kylestrome and Kylesku on the Reay Forest estate in west Sutherland. Once built it will generate up to 4.5 megawatts (MW) or 4,500 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, which is enough to meet the annual electricity needs of about 3,000 homes.^FN

A water licence was granted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Controlled Activities Regulations during January 2011.

The site benefits from the following making it suitable for the development of a renewable energy hydro scheme:

• Good year round flow rates
• Good water storage potential in an existing hill loch
• Good pipeline gradient

Technical, environmental and aquatic studies were carried out on the site.

The findings of these assessments helped to inform the design of the scheme and will ensure any impacts on the site are minimised. RWE npower renewables also carried out assessments on possible impacts on water dependent species in the area. These findings were presented in the Environmental Statement which was submitted with the planning application.

Once operational, the river and loch will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Consultations took place with community councils and organisations including the Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, the District Salmon Fishery Board, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the local community. These consultations helped shape the design and development of the scheme.

The main design aspects of the site are:
• An intake weir at the outflow from Loch an Leathiad Bhuain
• A buried pipe from the intake to the powerhouse
• A semi-buried powerhouse at the downstream end of the Maldie Burn close to the sea loch known as Loch Glendhu
• A buried power cable from the powerhouse over the hill to a small switchroom building at Achfary to the north east.