Green Highland Renewables starts work on £3.5m Allt Gharagain scheme

A Perth hydro electricity firm has begun construction work on a £3.5 million scheme at Achnasheen in the Highlands.

The 1MW Allt Gharagain development is the fourth project to be developed in the area by hydro power specialists Green Highland Renewables (GHR).

It is being progressed by GHR and joint venture partner Albion Ventures.

Infrastructure group Morgan Sindall is constructing the high-head, run-of-river project and is expected to achieve a grid connection in December.

GHR managing director Ian Cartwright said: “This project is technically challenging as we need to cross the Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh railway line, and we’ve worked closely with Network Rail to ensure this will be as smooth as possible.

“We’re also building three other schemes in the immediate area, so our project management team will be on site or nearby throughout the construction phase.”

Mr Cartwright said the firm was entering a “very busy period” as it looked to progress some of the 37 projects it has had consented over the past four years. It has built seven schemes to date, and a further eight are in the construction phase.