Arrochar Community Hydro Officially Opens on Luss Estates

Opened by Sir Malcolm Colquhoun, Chairman of Luss Estates Company and attended by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy.

Friday the 18th May saw the Official Opening Ceremony of Arrochar Community Hydro. The scheme was opened by Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss. The society were also delighted to welcome Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy.

Members of the local community came together with the wider renewable energy community and were joined by a piper and local school children on the walk up to the power house.

Guests were able to see the hydro scheme in use and see inside the powerhouse. Highland Eco, the project contractors were on hand to discuss the mechanics of the hydro system.

The Arrochar Community Hydro scheme was initially proposed by Luss Estates Company as a means to enable local people to generate income to reinvest in their communities. 

Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss Estates commented: 

"Back in October 2013 we proposed the idea of a community hydro to the Arrochar & Tarbet and Luss & Arden Development Trusts. I am delighted that this initiative has come to fuition, and wish the venture well – it offers a unique ability to the Development Trusts to raise funding to invest in the local community. I congratulate all those involved in delivering this project, in particular I thank Duncan MacLachlan for taking up the cudgel and driving the overall project."

Duncan MacLachlan, Chairman of Arrochar Community Hydro Society, has been instrumental since the project's incepetion and said: 

“With great help and support from everyone throughout, from the Land Owner, Luss Estates to the National Park Planning, Scottish Government through Local Energy Scotland and CARES development officers, consultants, contractors and with a fully supportive community behind us, we have managed to complete our project.

We must though recognise the generous financial support from all the ethical funders, throughout the UK and the 22 other Community Renewable energy projects, managed by Energy4All, who took up our Community Share offer in 2 marvellous weeks in July 2017.

We look forward to the rain levels that attracted the first large Post War Hydro Electric project scheme to this area, bringing the present and future community further benefits for many years to come.”

Following the official opening the community and guests walked down to the Three Villages Hall for lunch. The Hall will benefit from funds generated from the hydro scheme and provide a social, cultural, recreational and educational hub for local residents.”