SIMEC, part of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance which bought the aluminium smelter in Fort William, says an amendment to Scottish legislation will unlock a significant investment programme to upgrade its Kinlochleven hydro power station, writes Mark Entwistle.
SIMEC is one of the first power generation businesses to commit to new investment following the amendment to the Renewable Obligation order. The ruling amends the legislation which will allow the Kinlochleven plant to produce more than the 19.5 megawatts (MW) of power for which it is accredited.
When the Kinlochleven hydro station entered the Renewable Obligation in 2002, work was undertaken to restrict the station output so that it could not generate more than 19.5 MW in order to comply with Renewable Order legislation in force at that time.