A new hydroplant in the Scottish Highlands could provide work for 500 people.
A report by the University of the Highlands and Islands, highlights significant employment opportunities from Statkraft’s Loch na Cathrach pumped storage hydro (PSH) scheme.
There will be 500 workers employed during construction and several posts after. The report which was funded by Statkraft, urges targeted skills development to maximise local employment.
It recommends training providers adapt courses for roles such as civil and tunnel engineering, health and safety and management, as the area hasn’t seen large-scale hydro projects in decades.
The project will store excess renewable energy, providing flexible power for Scotland and the UK.
While PSH is essential for balancing the grid, challenges remain due to high upfront costs and long payback periods.
Statkraft and other developers are awaiting clarity from the UK Government and Ofgem on financial support to proceed.
The Scottish Governnment’s Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin said: “We recognise the critical importance of providing the current and future workforce with high-quality lifelong skills – either acquired through new learning or upskilling and reskilling – and the pivotal role this plays in our plans to unlock Scotland’s green economic potential.”
