Dùn Coillich and the Keltney Burn Hydro-Power Proposal

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Dùn Coillich and the Keltney Burn Hydro-Power Proposal

The Keltney Burn has been identified as having the potential for electricity production of 2 MegaWatts. This could satisfy the needs of some 2000 average homes, as well as producing a worthwhile reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases compared with fossil fuel generation of electricity.

A scheme is proposed which is of the ‘run-of-river’ type, now favoured as it operates with minimum disturbance, without flooding any land. The scheme will consist of a low-level weir across the Allt Mor, which – during periods of sufficient flow – will allow water to enter a buried pipe which feeds an underground powerhouse some 5000 metres away, close to the confluence of the Keltney Burn and the River Lyon.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) will determine and monitor abstraction to ensure that none takes place when flows are low and, at the higher flows, that only an acceptable proportion is abstracted.

Consequently, there will be no discernible difference in the height and timing of the water levels, no water supplies will be diminished, and the flow will be maintained for all interests.

Andrew Pointer's picture shows the proposed intake site for the hydro scheme on the Keltney burn

A comprehensive environmental statement containing surveys carried out by recognised experts on birds, plants, fish, invertebrates, fauna, hydrology and sites of archaeological interest was sent to the Scottish Executive in November 2004, with an application for consent to construct. The Exectutive’s consultees include RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage, Perth & Kinross Planning Department, SEPA, the Scottish Canoe Association and SEERAD’s Freshwater Fisheries Committee. These bodies are already assessing the impact of the project and reporting back to the Executive.

A decision by the Executive may be reached by the end of this year which could allow construction to start in 2006. Weather permitting, this should take a total of 10 months, which would be spread to avoid the bird-nesting periods. The intention is to use local firms for as many aspects of the project as possible.

The proposed inlet to the pipe is on the Allt Mor, in the south-western corner of Dùn Coillich, on land owned by the Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust. Over the past two years the proposal has been discussed by Trustees, and Members have been able to see and discuss displays of the scheme at the last two AGMs.

Recently, Ordinary Members of the Trust have been balloted to determine whether they agree to the granting of a lease to the Keltneyburn Hydro Ltd of a small area of land to accommodate the inlet and connection to the pipeline. The ballot was conducted for the Trust by J & H Mitchell WS, Pitlochry, who report the following result:

Agree with the proposal 76; Do not agree 6; Votes not cast 5: Total 87

Thus, clearly, more than three-quarters of the Members are in favour of granting a lease, as is required by the Articles of Association. This endorsement of the Scheme and granting the lease will assist the development of Dùn Coillich as a community resource for conservation and education.

by Jimmy Stewart (Keltneyburn Hydro Ltd) and Paul Jarvis (Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust)