©Steven Gourlay
100kW run-of-river hydro project for Lochbroom Community Renewables Ltd. at Lael Forest near Ullapool has been commissioned
Locogen is delighted to announce the commissioning of a 100kW run-of-river hydro project for Lochbroom Community Renewables Ltd. The project, known as BroomPower, is the result of many years of hard work and dedication from the local community. Construction of the project began in April 2017 and the scheme was commissioned in October 2017.
The project is situated on Forestry Enterprise Scotland land, which is being leased by Lochbroom Community Renewables Ltd for the next 41 years. The installation will generate more than 22.5GWh over its operational life, offsetting 12,000 tonnes of CO2. Project capital was funded via a local community share offer and any surplus funds generated will be reinvested in the local community.
Locogen Senior Project Manager, Stuart Hamilton said: “We’re delighted to have managed this project for Lochbroom Community Renewables Ltd, which will benefit the community for decades to come. It was a challenging site on a steeply sloping hillside with the potential for rock fall onto the trunk road that borders the site. These challenges were overcome by ensuring appropriate working methods were put in place and by appointing a contractor with experience of similar terrain and with extensive local knowledge.”
Tim Gauntlett Chair of Lochbroom Community Renewables Ltd. Said: ““BroomPower will provide much needed resource and benefit for our local community for years to come. We are immensely proud of the huge team effort that has brought BroomPower into being and grateful to all those who have given so much of their personal time and effort and professional skills to make it a reality”.