Glendoe

Glendoe Hydro Scheme
SSE is continuing to build on its hydro heritage by constructing the first large-scale conventional hydro electric station to be built in Scotland for almost 50 years, alongside Loch Ness, at Glendoe. Electricity was first generated at Glendoe in December 2008, two months ahead of schedule, and in its first six months output totalled over 100GWh.

To celebrate the opening of the Glendoe Hydro Electric scheme by HM The Queen in June 2009, SSE invited pupils from Kilchuimen and Foyers primary schools to take part in a poetry competition on the subject of Glendoe and green energy.

Over 40 entries were received and the winning poem was written by Daniel Sheridan, aged 11 (Kilchuimen) with the runners up Eirinn Hosie (Kilchuimen) and Michael Tait (Foyers), also both aged 11. Daniel's poem is:

The beauty of the trees
The softness of the air
The fragrance of the grass
The summit of the mountain
The dam that holds the water
The water that shoots down the pipe

And creates electricity

Daniel Sheridan, age 11
Kilchuimen Primary School

Cavern in July 2007


Cavern in July 2009

In August this year a partial blockage caused by internal rock falls, was identified near the top of the tunnel which carries water from the reservoir to the power station at Glendoe and generation was suspended. The turbine in the power station was not affected.

The tunnel was drained and SSE, working with its principal contractor and others, undertook a detailed investigation of its entire length and then started work on the necessary repairs.

Investigations have confirmed the fall of rock in the tunnel is very substantial, but confined to a section near the top. We are working with our principal contractor and others to determine how best to effect the necessary repairs and achieve a resumption of electricity generation at the site, but this will not take place until well into 2010 at the earliest.

Enquiries about Glendoe should be directed to:

Press Office on +44 (0)845 0760 530