A 2.0km pipe transfers water from two intakes to the powerhouse. This vertical drop, known as the 'Gross Head' of the project is 101m. The pipeline is made of High Performance Poly Ethylene (HPPE) in the upper section, and Ductile Iron (DI) in the lower section. A Gilkes Twin-Jet Turgo solution is used, operating at a design flow of 1,736 l/s. This turbine is an impulse type turbine which is optimised for medium-head, high-flow applications and provides high efficiency at peak power.
Construction mobilization started in August 2015. As well as being an investment partner in the project, Gilkes Energy was also the lead engineer, providing design, project management and construction supervision services during the construction phase, as well as managing the operation and maintenance of the facility thereafter. The lead civil contractor was MAM Contracting, an experienced civil contractor based near Crief, Perthshire.
The project started generating in September 2016 and was delivered on time and on budget.
- Commissioning date: September 2016
- Location: Strathcarron, Wester Ross
- Turbine: Twin Jet Turgo
- Intake type: Alpine
- Gross head: 101m
- Catchment area: 17.0km²
- Maximum turbine flow: 1,736 l/s
- Maximum output: 1,350kW
- Pipeline length: 2.0km
