Highland Council could oppose new hydro project near Invergarry

Highland Council could raise an objection to plans for a major hydro-electric project using a loch described as the UK's largest operational storage reservoir. Fearna PSH Ltd proposes repurposing a 1950s-built hydro scheme at Loch Quoich, near Invergarry, as a pumped storage hydro (PSH) facility. In a report, council officials said there were concerns about the development's impact on the mountain landscape and its wildlife, as well as rural roads due to construction traffic. The developer said its project was "nationally significant" and would be capable of storing "vast amounts" of energy until it was needed to power more than half of Scotland's homes. Local community councils, Mountaineering Scotland and RSPB Scotland have also raised concerns. The Scottish government has asked Highland Council for its position on the project. In their report to next week's south planning applications committee, officers said there were not sufficient plans to "reasonably mitigate" the scheme's effects on wildlife and geological features of special interest. They also said there would be "significant adverse effects" on protected areas, including the Moidart, Morar and Glen Shiel Special Landsca