Proposed Shieldaig Hydro Scheme Refused by Scottish Executive - 16th March 2004

The MCofS was delighted as the Scottish Executive today announced that it was refusing the application of Dundee based company, Highland Light and Power (HLP), to develop a hydro electric scheme in the Shieldaig and Slattadale areas of Wester Ross. The application, to develop a facility which would have produced only 3.55mw of power, would have been damaging to one of Scotland's finest mountain areas. See the MCofS News Release.

In the Executive announcement, Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said:

"We have a responsibility to balance renewable energy benefits with potential. negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

In this instance the potential impact of this scheme, now and in the future, on an area of national and international significance is simply too high and outweighs the potential benefits."

This was the second attempt by HLP to establish this scheme. The previous occasion led to a public inquiry in 1997. The application was withdrawn by HLP shortly before the report was due to be published, as they anticipated defeat. On this occasion, the Executive have judged that they have enough information on the application without holding a further public inquiry, and they have refused it outright.

The MCofS have joined with numerous environmental and local groups and individuals in objecting to this scheme, and it is gratifying that the Scottish Executive have come down in agreement with our views.

The reaction of one of the investors can be read in this Scotsman article.