Abnormal load delivery between Foyers Power Station and Inverness Harbour

SSE is currently undertaking a maintenance and upgrade programme at the Foyers Hydro Power Station, adjacent to Loch Ness. The maintenance programme includes the replacement of a number of key components which have reached the end of their operational lives.

The replacement components were delivered to the power station last year and we will be removing the two old inlet valves using abnormal load delivery vehicles under police escort on 28 and 29 July.

Starting at the power station, the vehicles will be transported by road to Inverness Harbour. They will travel along the B852, followed by the B862 (Dores Road), the B8082 (Sir Walter Scott Drive), and the A9 to Inverness Harbour.

We do not anticipate any significant delays to other road users with the police escort ensuring that the deliveries are made safely and with the minimum of disruption.

Jo Simpson, Plant Manager at Foyers Power Station, said:

“Replacing these key components will help to ensure the continued safe, reliable and efficient long term operation of Foyers pumped storage power station. These components have been in operation since the 1970s with a mid-life overhaul in the 1990s.

“We expect the new modern components will serve the power station for decades to help maximise its availability to generate hydro powered electricity.”

Electricity has been generated in the Foyers area since 1896 when it served the aluminium smelter until its closure in 1971. In 1974, the Foyers combined pumped storage and conventional hydro scheme began operating.