Project updates
These are the latest updates for this project.
Latest news
Thank you to those who attended our Drop-In Events in the Dores and Farr Village Halls in March. It was a valuable opportunity for the project team to meet with local residents and discuss the next steps for the project.
We also had some valuable discussions with the business community on the opportunities for local suppliers to get involved with the project.
View a copy of the information displayed at the Drop-In Sessions.
View our Summary Report of the events.
If you weren't able to attend but would like to ask a question or have a conversation with a member of the project team, please contact us.
We have installed a number of traffic counters on the Essich Road (C1064). We are required to update the traffic survey undertaken for the planning process and this will be aided by the baseline data captured by these counters. The counters will be in place for approximately two weeks.
We have been informed by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) that they are hosting an exhibition to discuss the proposed extension to the Knocknagael Substation, which will facilitate the connection of the Loch na Cathrach project to the grid network.
SSEN have previously held events in April and December 2022.
This is a standard process when connecting large electricity projects to the network, and is managed by SSEN, the company responsible for operating the regional network.
This process is separate to Statkraft and questions and comments about this connection should be directed to their project team. Our project team are in direct contact with the team at SSEN to discuss the connection arrangements.
The proposed method of connection is proposed via approximately 9km of underground cable.
Note that the postcard sent to local residents states the project is owned by Intelligent Land Investment Group, however this changed in December 2023 when Statkraft acquired the project.
View the invitation sent to residents.
More information on SSEN website: https://shorturl.at/rtJQ3
You are invited to our exhibitions for the Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme. The project team will be present to discuss our future plans. Details below:
Tuesday, 12 March
Farr Community Hall, Inverarnie Park, Inverness IV2 6AX
14:00 – 17:00
Tuesday, 12 March
Dores Village Hall, Dores, Inverness IV2 6TR
19.30 – 21:00
In December 2023, we announced the acquisition of Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme, which was consented in June 2021.
Around the time the acquisition was announced, we met with a focused group of stakeholders to introduce ourselves, answer questions and discuss high-level plans for this development. We are now hosting public events to discuss our plans with the local community.
For those unable to attend our in-person events, the information on display will be published on this website.
Read the full press release on this acquisition.
Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable power generator, has agreed to acquire the Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme, from Intelligent Land Investments Group (ILI).
The 450MW scheme, first conceived in 2015, was granted consent by Scottish Government Ministers in June 2021. The acquisition demonstrates Statkraft’s latest commitment to helping Scotland meet its renewable energy targets and strengthening UK energy security.
Located on a site around 14km south-west of Inverness, it will capture excess renewable energy, and store it until needed, helping provide security of supply as Great Britain’s electricity network shifts away from fossil fuels.