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RWE has officially inaugurated its 2MW Glen Noe Hydro Scheme, which is located within the Glen Noe Estate, near Loch Etive in the west of Scotland.
The celebration was supported by Scottish politician Jenni Minto, who is the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the constituency of Argyll and Bute, in Scotland.
Construction of the Powerhouse, 3km of buried pipeline and three intake weirs for the run-of-river scheme commenced in 2019. Grid connection was finalized in January this year, with commissioning successfully completed the following month. The scheme was consented by Argyll & Bute Council in September 2016 and has the capacity to provide sufficient renewable electricity to power up to 1,436 average homes each year.
In addition, RWE has established an annual community fund of £3,000 which will be available for each year of the project’s operational lifetime. The fund will be used by Taynuilt Community Council for charitable, educational and environmental projects, as well as economic development or community purposes for the benefit of local residents.
Jenni Minto MSP Argyll and Bute said: “In the run up to COP26 it is fantastic to have opened RWE’s new Glen Noe hydro scheme. Seven years ago I was involved in establishing a community wind turbine on Islay so I know the difference that funding from renewable energy sources can mean to communities.
“Harnessing water and wind, two things Argyll & Bute has in spades, for renewable power is benefitting the local community and ensuring that Scotland takes another step to achieving net zero by 2045”.
RWE now operates 16 hydropower schemes across Scotland, all constructed to ensure that environmental constraints are strictly adhered to. For Glen Noe, this included ensuring that nearby nesting Golden Eagles were not disturbed during construction.
For more information on Glen Noe visit the project website.
Pictures of Glen Noe inauguration for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.