Inverlael Hydroelectric Project
Construction work on the Inverlael Hydroelectric Scheme began in March 2008.
The 2.5 megawatt (MW) run-of-river development is being built within existing forestry plantation by Loch Broom near Wester Ross in the North West Highlands of Scotland.
The scheme will utilise the waters of the Allt Mor and River Lael. An intake in each river will abstract water and pass it through two pipes which will combine before entering the powerhouse. The abstracted water will then be fed through twin Francis turbines to generate up to 2.5MW of electricity before being returned to the watercourse.
The scheme, which was given approval by the Scottish Government in July 2007, is expected to produce enough electricity to supply the average annual needs of about 1500 homes.
Work at the site is expected to last a year. During the construction phase various safeguards will be employed to protect the environment and to allow the free passage of walkers and other recreational users in the area.
Lael Forest
