'Great achievement' as Highland Council's renewable energy Hydro Ness scheme wins yet another award
Highland Council's renewable energy Hydro Ness scheme has just won its fourth award after it was recognised at 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
The local authority was one of 12 organisations across Scotland to be praised for its planet protecting efforts.
The Hydro Ness team was presented with the Engaging Scotland Award at the recent ceremony, which featured an address by Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government minister for just transition, employment and fair work.
Prior to that Hydro Ness was named Small Project of The Year at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA 2022). And it was also commended with a Merit at the national Structural Steel Design Awards 2022 earlier in the year.
The scheme also won the Scottish Highlands & Islands Renewable Energy Award for Best Onshore Renewable Energy Project 2022.
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Based on the Archimedes Screw, Hydro Ness uses the natural flow of the River Ness to generate electricity and incorporates a public viewing gallery and visitor attraction.
The power generated will supply the nearby Inverness Leisure centre and provide approximately 50 per cent of its electricity needs, saving over 140,000kg of CO2e a year.
The project was delivered by Highland Council, with support from architects Leslie Hutt Architect, structural engineers Hasson Engineering Solutions, steelwork contractors M. Hasson and Sons Ltd., and the main contractors Bradley and Company, Hydro NI. Designer and concept artist Claire Maclean was also involved.
The chairman of the economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "To be recognised by VIBES for winning the Engaging Scotland award is a great achievement, of which we are very proud.
“We hope that by taking our place amongst many excellent projects working towards achieving Scotland’s Net Zero ambition, we will inspire more organisations to make a difference.”
Inverness Provost, Cllr Glynis Sinclair said: “I am delighted to hear that this fantastic structure has won another major award.
"Its success can only be a good thing for the city, not only in terms of its ambitions to create new sustainable energy options but also in terms of its appeal to visitors, who we hope will visit Hydro Ness when they come to the Highland capital and learn more about how it is helping power the largest leisure centre in Highland.”
