Small Scale Hydroelectricity at Garbhaig

This case study is based on extracts from a publication by ETSU for the UK Government DTI in 1995.

Garbhaig Hydro Power Ltd. - BES Company formed 1986.

Site - within a National Scenic Area, adjoining Loch Garbhaig

Slattadale Forest, south of Lake Maree, Rosshire, Scotland.)

Project originally begun, a pipeline laid, mid 1980's.

INPUT

Water source - natural water storage at Loch Garbhaig, enhanced by 2m weir at loch mouth.

Supplied - through 1400 metres of buried pipeline, continously welded steel, 660mm diameter.

Head -165 metres.

PLANT

ELECTRICAL and MECHANICAL TURNKEY PROJECT by NEWMILLS HYDRO.

1000kW Newmills Hydro Pelton Turbine, driving a synchronous generator of the same rating.

Feeding into the national power Grid via a 415V-to-33kV transformer.

By December 1994 the project had been operating successfully since commissioning, and had supplied 9GWh to the Grid.

OUTPUT

Generation of sufficient electricity to meet average needs of 750 homes.

Further information is available from NHT Engineering

EMMISSIONS SAVED ANNUALLY

2200 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 130 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 15 tonnes of nitrous oxide gases

when compared with the equivalent output from a fossil-fuelled power station.

ENVIRONMENT

Highland Regional Planning Authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission, and the Highland River Purification Board all involved in planning consultations - environmental considerations were paramount.

Tree screening was used at the turbine house and transformer yard, mounding was used to hide the access road.

Local stone was used for the intake structure and access road.

FINANCE

An electricity purchase contract including a premium for renewable energy, awarded in July 1991, enhanced financial viability, and revitalised the original project.

Original construction work cost £555,000.

Further £600,000 invested 1992/93 - NEWMILLS HYDRO becoming involved - feasibility studies, new machinery, engineering management, reconstruction of the intake and pipeline, installing new generating equipment, connection to the national power Grid.

BES equity funds, bank loans, equipment funding from an asset finance company - no grants or government loans.

 

LOCAL OPINION

Access to a site of natural beauty improved, without disturbing the attractiveness of the area.

Fishing unnaffected - and the loch is more accessible for fishermen.

Local opinion of the scheme is supportive.

"The experience at Garbhaig has provided valuable insight into the protection of a natural area by utilising local materials where possible, whilst developing a natural resource for public benefit" -

D.T. McKenzie CA, Garbhaig Hydro Power Ltd..

Further information :-

New and Renewable Energy Enquiries Bureau, ETSU, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA, 01235 432450 (fax 433066)

Dougall Baillie Associates Consulting Engineers, 3 Glenfield Road, Kelvin, East Kilbride, G75 ORA, 01355 266480 (fax221991)

D J T McKenzie, CA Garbhaig Hydro Power Co. Ltd., Unit 1, James Keiller Buildings, 32-34 Mains Loan,

Dundee, DD4 7BT 01382 455565 (fax 455518)

The addresses above are all in the United Kingdom, for where the International telephone code is 44.

 

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