John Swinney local MSP has visited SSE Renewables’ Tummel Bridge Hydro Plant, which is currently undergoing a £50m investment project to repower the nearly 90-year-old Hydro-Electric Power Station in Highland Perthshire.
The Perthshire North MSP was accompanied by local councillor Mike Williamson.
Refurbishment works at Tummel Bridge Power Station commenced in Spring 2022 and a further 14 months will be required to complete the project. The work will involve the replacement of the hydro station’s two turbines, which were installed when Tummel Bridge started producing energy in 1933, with modern units. When completed in Autumn 2023, the project will see the installed power capacity at the Tummel Bridge Hydro Plant increase from today’s 34MW to 40MW.
Removal of the existing units and foundations continues to make good progress since commencing in late Spring. Pouring of approximately 4,500 tonnes of concrete is anticipated to begin this Autumn.
SSE Renewables provided Mr Swinney and Mr Williamson with a guided tour of the ongoing works at the iconic station and discussed how the upgraded hydro station with its increased power output will help contribute to achieving SSE Renewables’ plans to double its installed renewable energy capacity to 8GW by 2026 and to increase capacity to over 13GW by 2031. This will result in a fivefold increase in SSE’s renewables output to over 50TWh annually over the next decade.
"Hydro is Scotland’s original renewable energy source and will continue to play a massive role long into the future. This is the largest single investment SSE Renewables has made in the refurbishment of its existing hydro fleet in recent times.
Gregor Alexander SSE Finance Director
The £50 million investment will help secure local jobs and supply chain opportunities by extending Tummel’s operational life by at least 40 years, increase its potential power output and support SSE Renewables’ commitment to significantly contribute to government Net Zero targets."
"The commitment by SSE to refurbish the Tummel Bridge hydro station is a fantastic investment in the hydroelectric network. This was a visionary scheme when it was designed in the 1930s, and the power system has had so much value out of the investment that was made all those years ago.
John Swinney MSP
The £50 million investment being made by SSE to refurbish, modernise and futureproof this vital hydro station is really welcome. It's an impressive project to see, it's essentially stripping out all of the infrastructure that's been here before but it's so impressive to see the way in which that's been done in such an orderly and organised fashion."
"Tummel Bridge is a vital part of the local economy and it’s great to see SSE Renewables investing in the future of the hydro station which will ensure the requirement of skilled jobs in the area.
Mike Williamson
Not only is it good for the local economy but by upgrading the hydro station it will increase the power output which is great news for achieving NetZero targets."
The repowering works are expected to be completed in late 2023, coinciding with the hydro power plant’s 90th anniversary.
SSE Renewables expects the delivery of the works programme to help support the Scottish regional supply chain and local job creation, with up to 65 construction roles supported at peak.
Key contractors appointed including regional Scottish supply chain
- Voith Hydro, a leading manufacturer of hydropower turbines and generators, has been appointed as lead Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) contractor for the project. Voith previously supported SSE Renewables in 2020 in successfully modernising the second machine of its Foyers pumped storage power station near Inverness, Scotland.
- Stantec, an industry leader in hydro power plant design and upgrades with bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow, is leading on Civil Design and has been supporting SSE Renewables on the refurbishment project since Autumn 2018.
- Inverness-headquartered Global Infrastructure, a leading civil engineering and construction contractor, has been appointed to undertake enabling works including site establishment, superstructure bracing work, and general site readiness. Global Infrastructure’s enabling contract is also expected to support a host of local and UK-based subcontractors.
- Global Energy Group at Port of Nigg in Cromarty Firth has been appointed for Forebay Stoplog fabrication and Tailrace Gate modifications, while the contract for Corrosion Protection works on the penstocks, or water intake structures, has been awarded to Rosyth-based KAEFER.
- The contract to modernise and upgrade the 88-year-old 120 tonne station crane has been awarded to Konecranes Demag UK at East Kilbride. McDonald Scaffolding from Invergordon has been appointed as scaffolding contractor.