Inverbain Hydro scheme was completed in 2005 and utilises the waters of the Abhainn Dubh at Inverbain, near Shieldaig, Wester Ross. The run of river scheme is capable of generating approximately 1MW of clean electricity, which is enough to supply the domestic electricity needs of approximately 900 households.
The scheme is powered by one Francis turbine which is manufactured by Gilkes. The scheme has a minimum 50 year design life and consists of an intake weir, a powerhouse and a buried pipeline, approximately 1.5km in length.
npower renewables worked closely with the site landowners, crofting interests and the local community in developing the scheme and consulted broadly with statutory bodies who also assisted greatly in the design process.
Low-impact methods were used during the construction phase and as part of the landscape restoration programme careful attention was paid to ground recovery on the pipeline route and landscaping around the turbine house.
A residual flow will be maintained in the river at all times in order to avoid any damage to the ecology of the watercourse occurring. Buried pipelines connect the intakes to the turbine house and a tailrace returns the water back to the main stream.
Inverbain Hydro Site
