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Highland councillors support Lochaber hydro plan | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Highland councillors have given their backing to a proposed new £800m hydro electric scheme. | |
SSE has put forward details of the 600MW project for Coire Glas, near Spean Bridge, in Lochaber. | SSE has put forward details of the 600MW project for Coire Glas, near Spean Bridge, in Lochaber. |
The development would be Scotland's biggest ever hydro scheme but objectors warn it could damage tourism. | The development would be Scotland's biggest ever hydro scheme but objectors warn it could damage tourism. |
Highland Council's south planning applications committee considered the proposal on Tuesday after a site visit the previous day. | |
Officials had recommended that the council should not raise an objection to the development. | |
However, they suggested that conditions be added in an effort to minimise the impact on the environment and people living near the site. | |
'Green batteries' | 'Green batteries' |
The committee gave its support to the proposals, but Scottish government will have the final say on SSE's planning application. | |
It would involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, underground power station and water tunnels in the hills above Loch Lochy. | It would involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, underground power station and water tunnels in the hills above Loch Lochy. |
Scottish Natural Heritage believe it would have a major negative impact on the local landscape and views would be significantly affected. | Scottish Natural Heritage believe it would have a major negative impact on the local landscape and views would be significantly affected. |
The pump storage hydro scheme is designed to "soak up" excess power generated by wind and wave farms, using it to pump water up to a reservoir. | The pump storage hydro scheme is designed to "soak up" excess power generated by wind and wave farms, using it to pump water up to a reservoir. |
That water is then released through tunnels to generate hydro electric power at times when consumers need it. | That water is then released through tunnels to generate hydro electric power at times when consumers need it. |
Those in favour of such schemes describe them as "green batteries", but opponents argue they use more energy than they produce. | Those in favour of such schemes describe them as "green batteries", but opponents argue they use more energy than they produce. |
SSE have said the construction would take five to six years and create about 150 jobs. | SSE have said the construction would take five to six years and create about 150 jobs. |
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