PLANS to expand the lifespan of a Scottish hydro power station by “at least” 400 years have been unveiled.
SSE has said it will spend £70 million over the next three years to refurbish the Lochay Hydro Power Station in Perthshire.
The power station was commissioned in 1958 and can generate 170GWh of power annually.
SSE said the refurbishment works will see all main generation components inside the Lochay station being replaced with modern, efficient technology to improve its energy output without the need to increase water volumes.
All existing building and civil infrastructure from the1950s construction will be retained, the company added.
Construction work is due to begin this April and SSE said the three-year programme would support up to 80 jobs at its “peak”.
Robert Bryce, director of hydro at SSE, said: “The announcement of a £70m refurbishment programme for Lochay Power Station further cements hydro’s vital role in the path to achieving UK and Scottish net zero carbon emissions targets, whilst supporting the wider industry supply chain.
“As with many of our hydro stations, Lochay has been a key part of the energy landscape for generations and this latest chapter will ensure it remains so for decades to come.”
The works are due to be completed in 2028, coinciding with the power station’s 70th anniversary.
Voith Hydro have been contracted to provide new hydropower turbines and generators and Global Infrastructure, headquartered in Inverness, will undertake enabling works.
AJT Engineering Ltd will design, procure and install a new automatic self-closing valve to protect the steel penstock supplying the station, while the penstock itself will be assessed and repainted by specialist painters Jack Tighe.
Stantec will lead on the project’s civil engineering aspects and the 70-year-old 60 tonne station crane will be refurbished by East Kilbride-based Konecranes Demag UK, for which enabling works were completed at the end of last year. Scaffolding is being provided by Invergordon-based firm McDonald Scaffolding.
