ENERGY FROM THE ELEMENTS
Storr Lochs Hydro Scheme Installation and Case Study
Storr Lochs in Skye is the location of an existing large hydropower scheme that was installed in the 1950s. Our forefathers were intelligent engineers, and we see schemes in place that tell us something. Aside from the obvious, that it rains on Skye, the site we were interested in also benefits from springs which feed into burns.
This was not lost on our client, who had farmed the land for many years and was aware of the potential of two seemingly innocuous-looking small burns. Proterra Energy had built and commissioned a hydro on other land for the client in 2016, and so when he came calling in 2021 to see about this new site, we were surprised.
Storr Lochs II was commissioned at the beginning of April 2025 and looks to be a productive little hydro, using the combination of springs and the catchment to provide a good yield. It has a twin intake, with the secondary intake (by volume) being the main intake because of the nature of the landform.
It is an export scheme, providing electricity directly to the grid with SEG payments.
Power:
15kW
Storr Lochs Hydro Specifications
Power:
Head:
Flow:
Location:
22kW
38m
84 l/s
Skye
Commissioned:
2025
Turbine:
3 Valve Turgo