Cia Aig Hydro Project


RWE npower renewables received consent for a new run of river hydroelectric generating scheme on the Abhainn Chia-aig river, located at the eastern end of Loch Arkaig, approximately 15km to the north of Fort William, from the Scottish Government in June 2010.


The scheme, entitled Cia Aig, would generate up to 2.7 megawatts (MW) or 2,700 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, which is enough to meet the annual average energy needs of about 1500 homesFN.

 

The scheme would generate up to 2.7 megawatts (MW) or 2,700 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, which is enough to meet the annual average energy needs of about 1500


A water licence has been granted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under the Controlled Activities Regulations.


The main components of the scheme include: 

  • An intake weir on the Abhainn Chia-aig river.
  • A buried pipe from the intake to the powerhouse.
  • A powerhouse and discharge of returning water via a tailrace upstream from the Cia Aig waterfall.

  • A power cable from the powerhouse to connect to the nearby overhead power lines.

    Cia Aig River 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footnote
Energy predicted to be generated by the scheme is derived using available flows monitored at the site and applying trends from RWE npower renewables' existing hydro portfolio located across the UK and the predicted station efficiency. 
 
Equivalent homes supplied is based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4700 kWh.  This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics and household estimates and projections from the UK Statistics Authority.