First Minister says hydro power is Scotland’s greatest post-war success

The First Minister has welcomed the beginning of construction on the biggest hydro scheme to be built in the UK in five years.

Energy company SSE starts work on the scheme near Ardross in Ross-shire later this year.

Alex Salmond said: “Hydro-Electric and its role in producing energy is one of the greatest industrial success stories of post-war Scotland.

“Hydro drove not only industrial development but also immense social achievement, something which still rings true today.”

Mr Salmond’s comments came as he prepared to make a speech to mark the legacy of Tom Johnston, former Scottish Secretary.

At the Scottish Renewables Hydropower Anniversary Dinner in Perth, he was expected to pay tribute to Mr Johnston’s support for hydro-electric power.

He said: “One of the ways in which he secured consensus was by stressing, at all times, the social progress it would bring for all the people of the north of Scotland.

“Scotland’s natural resources were to be harnessed so that its human resources could flourish. That is perhaps the most important lesson we should draw from the hydro revolution.”