Efforts to maximise the contribution of Scotland’s forests to generating clean, renewable energy have opened the door to the potential of small-scale hydro developments on the national forest estate.
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is inviting interested parties to help develop the potential for run-of-river hydro-electric schemes at locations across the country and to come forward with proposals for development.
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, announced the move at the opening of RWE npower renewables new hydro-scheme at Inverlael today (Wednesday 5 August).
Ms Cunningham said:
“Tackling the impact of climate change is a number one priority for everyone - and that is why the Scottish Government has committed to 50% of Scotland's electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2020.
"This is an ambitious but achievable target and working towards it will not only help us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create clean energy, but will also generate employment and wealth for local communities – both in the long and short term.
"Small scale hydro schemes make an important contribution to our renewable energy capacity and this one at Inverlael, built on the national forest estate, is a good example of how the private sector and Scottish Government can work together to take Scotland towards a greener future.
"But the national forest estate has more to contribute towards realising our commitment to renewable energy and the Commission is pleased to announce today that it is inviting interested parties to come forward with proposals and suggestions for more small scale hydro schemes on the national forest estate."
Existing small-scale hydro developments on the national forest estate - such as at Braevallich near Loch Awe, Garbhaig at Loch Maree and Glenskiagh near Garve - can generate 11.9 MW of power. Plans are underway to develop schemes that can generate a further 17MW and it is estimated that there is further potential of at least 50MW - enough to power 40,000 homes.
As well as looking for commercial partners, the Commission will continue to welcome approaches from communities with an interest in developing local hydro schemes. These will be considered under existing arrangements, which include the possibility of acquiring or leasing suitable sites under the National Forest Land Scheme.
For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/windhydro
Additional Quote
Mary Drury, RWE npower renewables project manager, said:
"Inverlael is a good example of how the Forestry Commission - as custodians of Scotland's forestry resource - and we as a leading operator of small hydro schemes in Scotland, can work together to realise good renewable energy projects for Scotland.
"Our ongoing development programme continues to build on these achievements and we hope to be part of the effort to release the remaining hydro potential on the national forest estate."
NOTES
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and manages the 665,000 hectare national forest estate. Scottish forestry is making a sustainable contribution to Scotland’s economy. Generating around £670 million each year, over 31,000 jobs (mostly in rural areas) are now supported by the forestry sector in Scotland.
2) On-shore windfarms will make the biggest contribution to renewable electricity generation until newer technologies can harness off-shore wind and tidal power, but there is also scope for further hydro power, especially small, run-of-river schemes.
3) The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill (www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/17-ClimateChange/index.htm) aims to allow FCS to enter into joint ventures with developers and local communities to accelerate renewable energy developments on the national forest estate.
Media Enquiries
Paul Munro, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6507 or 07785 527590 on the day