The River Ericht Hydro Scheme


The Ericht Hydro Project consists of the installation of a small hydro electric scheme in the Oakbank Lade beside the River Ericht to utilise the substantial water flows in the river.This will generate electricity which will be exported to the National Grid.

The Company engaged Inter Hydro Technology, a hydro engineering design
consultancy, to prepare a feasibility report following which detailed designs have been submitted for planning approval. When implemented, the scheme will provide the locality with a recurring annual income to fund many different community regeneration projects. SEPA have issued a water abstraction licence and planning permission has now been granted.

The key objective with the proposed hydro system is to cause no ecological damage to the environment, especially fish migration, while optimising the power output for the lowest installation cost. With a zero carbon footprint, the green energy produced will contribute to lowering the dependence on fossil fuel for power generation. The revenue generated, will go help fund other regeneration projects in the community.

Renewable Systems Limited (RSL)

RSL is a trading subsidiary company of BARRC.

Directors

Ross Peters

Donald Dunlop

Mike Stevenson

For Hydro Project enquiries contact Ross Peters via One Voice Office - 01250 871120 or barrc@btconnect.com

Fishtek video showing safe passage of fish through a screw turbine

HYDRO UPDATE

At the meeting with Alex Neil in Glasgow on 2nd August 2011, representatives from BARRC had to accept that the Minister's decision was to withdraw funding from the Hydro project. He expressed regret that it had come to this given the enthusiasm for the project and all the hard work and commitment that has gone into it.

However the collapse of the weir and the lade wall together with the inability to achieve the Feed in Tariff made it now unviable.

BARRC is ar liberty to seek funding elsewhere.

14th August 2011