The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) is developing a 500kW hydro electric plant at its Russel Burn farm to boost the site’s efficiency and healthy fish production.
Henry Dalgety, manager, Russel Burn, explained that the hydro-electric scheme will see the site generating its own power in a sustainable way in future. The water will pass down a buried pipeline to a power house located close to the farm.
He said: “It can be used to cool the water to the fish farm in summer. In the spring time when warmer water is preferable, the hydro can also be used to control the flow of water down the burn which in turn can influence the natural heating effect, making the hydro a valuable aid to maximising the site’s efficiency both economically and in terms of healthy fish production.”
Mr Dalgety explained to World Fishing & Aquaculture that water management will become automated, therefore more efficient and will allow the site "to make better use of stored water in the loch during dry periods."
The project is being undertaken with local landowner, The Applecross Trust and Dulas Hydro Generation Ltd, builders of the small hydro-electric scheme. Construction started last month and should be completed in October 2013.
The work is being financed by Dulas, who will pay rent to The Applecross Trust. Dulas will then sell surplus power back to the National Grid.
The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) is a leading producer of Scottish salmon, producing over 20,000 tonnes annually, about 20% of total Scottish salmon. It supplies leading UK retailers and sells to over 20 countries worldwide.
