Salmon fishery board calls for more transparency on impact of Loch Ness pump hydro schemes

A salmon conservation body is calling for more transparency from companies wanting to develop pump storage hydro schemes at Loch Ness.

The Ness District Salmon Fishery Board (Ness DSFB) has raised concerns over what it claims is “planning creep”.

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Previously, it has called for a halt on any further development of pump storage hydro schemes on the world-famous loch, saying dramatic fluctuations in water levels could spell disaster for its fragile ecosystem and the Ness’s already beleaguered wild salmon population.

It now says some details have been omitted from the original proposals and the full impact has not been made clear.

It cites the proposed Loch Kemp scheme, saying the developer is aiming to artificially raise the level of the loch by adding a one-metre high extension on top of Dochfour Weir at the head of the River Ness.

Brian Shaw, director of the Ness DSFB, queried why this was not included when Statera Energy submitted a planning application at the end of 2023 for a new pump storage hydro scheme using the water of Loch Ness.

“This confirms our own conclusions, that there is simply not enough available water in Loch Ness to make any further pump storage schemes viable without major modifications like this,” he maintained.

“The proposed weir will facilitate control over the level of Loch Ness, and flows in the River Ness, to the detriment of both.”

He maintained raising the level of Loch Ness by one metre would have “devastating and irreversible ecological consequences”.

Mr Shaw said the Ness DSFB’s concerns over “planning creep” mirrored widespread disquiet in the Highlands regarding the drip feed of applications for renewable energy projects which, he said, frequently failed to present complete picture of the overall implications in terms of associated infrastructure.

He said another example relating to pump storage hydro occurred at a recent public meeting in Drumnadrochit when the developers of Glen Earrach proposed scheme, which also uses Loch Ness, did not include the necessary major substation and pylon line connecting to the national grid.

He said this infrastructure would severely impact on adjacent properties as well as the visual impact from both sides of the loch.

The Ness DSFB has initiated a Scottish Parliament petition Halt any further pump storage hydro schemes on Scottish lochs holding wild Atlantic salmon until the impact of such developments on wild Atlantic salmon migrations is understood”.

The board insisted it was not against pump storage hydro per se but believed strongly that any such schemes should be located where the environmental, and societal, risks are lower.

It said it was aware of several other locations in Scotland already under consideration which looked far more suitable and had significant storage, and generation, capacity.

On Loch Ness, the Foyers and Glendoe hydro schemes are long-established while Red John - now renamed Loch na Cathrach - was given permission in 2021 but has yet to be built.

Plans for two more projects, Loch Kemp and Glen Earrach, have been unveiled which, if given the go-ahead, would bring the total to five.

Andrew Troup, of Statera Energy, said: “The Loch Kemp project will operate within the existing levels in Loch Ness and the point at which we must stop pumping water, determined by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), means we must stop pumping before existing schemes on the loch.

“We are aware this means there could be curtailment of our operation at some points in the summer months and this has been factored into the costings of the scheme.

“Longer term we believe there are modifications that could be made to the infrastructure on the loch which would protect against the low levels which have been evident over the last 10 years driven, at least in part, by climate change.

“New pumped hydro schemes would be able to fund these improvements to ensure all users of the loch are protected in the future summer months including tourism businesses and those relying on the canal for leisure.

“These improvements could also help support the use of the canal to transport materials and equipment down the Great Glen and reduce reliance on road transportation.

“Statera is able and willing to assist in this endeavour should stakeholders be supportive, and we hope the Ness District Fisheries Board will be part of any future discussions.”

A Glen Earrach Energy spokesperson said the company was committed to harnessing clean energy while protecting the environment.

“That’s why we’re working with the world’s best experts to design a project that preserves the natural landscape and makes the project as invisible as possible,” the spokesperson said.

“We are committed to working closely with the community to ensure this project seamlessly integrates into the local environment.”

The spokesperson added a community engagement event at Balnain Hall on Wednesday would provide a valuable opportunity for residents to share their views on the project plans outlined in the scoping document.

“We are carefully considering all feedback before refining these plans for the pre-application consultation this autumn,” the spokesperson added.

“GEE’s project will move less water and generate more storage and more energy than all other PSH projects on Loch Ness combined.

“This is because GEE utilises water more efficiently than any existing or proposed PSH project in Loch Ness or the entire UK. We are conducting a comprehensive hydrological study as part of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment and continue to work closely with the Ness Salmon District Fishery Board.”

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