Reducing Environmental Impact Through Smarter Hydro Scheme Designs
At the start of 2026 we were approached by a Client on the West Coast of Ireland to provide some independent advice for a hydro scheme development on a small Estate – our first international project since providing similar advice to the Department of Agriculture in Chile in 2016 on farm scale hydro.
This project had completed the initial stages of consenting but required further technical input on the detailed design and construction methodology, so we were commissioned to provide a desktop review of the existing documentation. On the back of this work the Client then expanded the scope to include a site visit, which we undertook in January 2026.
We have continued to provide additional advice and visited the site again this month to finalise a construction method with the main Contractor and Supervising Engineer that reduces the environmental impact.
Like a number of the Scottish hydro schemes we have built, this property had had an old hydro to provide power for the main house prior to the national grid reaching the area. Though the mechanical and electrical infrastructure are mostly gone, by redesigning the intake to reuse some of the existing infrastructure we have been able to reduce the scope of work required, and with that the environmental impact of the construction of a scheme in a European Designated site.
We will continue to provide support through construction and hopefully attend the site towards the end of the year to install the turbine and control system with the main contractor. And enjoy a pint of Guinness once it’s commissioned!