Dulas has started building two new Scottish hydroelectric schemes which will help the country meet its climate change targets, the green-energy developer said yesterday.
Both schemes will also help cut energy-costs on the rural estates where they are based and generate income through the feed-in tariff (FiT) system, Dulas said.
The Scottish Government has set a target of enabling renewable power generators to cover 100% of the country’s energy demands by 2020.
But industry body Scottish Renewables has predicted the target will be missed by 14%.
Hydro has been the second largest provider of renewable-energy in Scotland but UK Government cuts to subsidies have threatened to put an end to small and medium-scale schemes, making the target harder to achieve.
The first of the two Dulas developments is in the Trossachs National Park, while the second is on the shores of Loch Rannoch in Perth and Kinross.
Dulas managing director Phil Horton said: “Cuts to incentives and the end of the pre-accreditation process have posed serious challenges to the market. Many hydro projects have been put on hold or cancelled.
“Given the financial and environmental value these projects can unlock for landowners, it is important that developers and consultants work together to maximise the efficiency of sites, safeguarding the future of the market.”
Hannah Smith, policy officer for industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see schemes like these go ahead in such a climate of uncertainty and we hope this demonstrates not only the value of the sector as a whole, but the fantastic opportunities to develop projects in Scotland.”
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