Over the last two decades, ASH has successfully gained consent for numerous hydroelectric schemes totalling a generating capacity of over 140 MW

ASH delivered environmental impact assessment (EIA) for each of these schemes and for some has been retained post consent to help discharge the conditions of consent and to ensure environmental compliance, co-ordinating environmental monitoring through the construction phase. This has enabled our team to further their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the key constraints and opportunities associated with the development of hydroelectric infrastructure, often within sensitive landscapes.

Our Hydroelectric Power Experience

Responsible for preparing screening and scoping reports, co-ordinating the EIA process, preparing Environmental Statements (now EIA Reports), and undertaking environmental monitoring and compliance on site, ASH has built up a specialist in-house team of Environmental Consultants, Landscape Architects and graphic technicians with a wealth of knowledge and experience within the hydro sector. The in-house ASH team undertakes landscape and visual impact assessments (LVIA) as well as assessments in land-use and recreation, planning review, in addition to EIA co-ordination. ASH also carries out production of all plans, photomontages and other graphic material in support of schemes.

ASH has gained Section 36 consent for the following hydroelectric schemes;

• Glendoe 100MW run of river / storage scheme in Inverness-shire

• Glasa 7.5MW storage scheme in Ross-shire

• Pattack Hydro 9MW storage scheme

• Kingairloch storage scheme in the Morvern Peninsula

• Chaorach 2.5MW run-of-river scheme within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

• Chonais 3.5MW run-of-river scheme in Wester Ross

• Black Rock 3.5MW run of river scheme in Easter Ross

• Inverlael 3MW run of river scheme in Wester Ross

• Maldie Burn 4.5MW storage scheme in Sutherland

• Cia-aig 3MW run-of-river scheme in Lochaber

• Allt na Moine 1.95MW run-of-river scheme in Wester Ross

• Benmore 500kV run-of-river scheme within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

For all of the above schemes, ASH was responsible for co-ordinating the EIA process and planning application, and for carrying out the landscape and visual impact assessment.

We have also co-ordinated the environmental reports and assisted with gaining consent for a range of smaller non EIA hydroelectric schemes including Luichart 2.6MW Compensation set on the River Conon, west of Contin.

In addition to this, ASH has provided LVIA support for a number of hydroelectric schemes, including most recently:

• Glen Muick 2 MW run-of-river scheme located on Balmoral Estates, 5km south of Ballater in the CAirngorms National Park, consented in July 2018; and

• Loch a’ Bhraoin 2 MW storage hydroelectric scheme located 18km south east of Ullapool, consented by The Highland Council in November 2018.

ASH has also co-ordinated the EIAs and gained consent for two large pumped storage schemes.

Hydroelectric Power Projects

Find out more

We’re always happy to answer your questions. If you’d like to find out more about the services we can offer for your project, you can email us on info@ashglasgow.com or call 0141 227 3388.