HIGHLAND Council’s sustainable energy project Hydro Ness has won another national award.
The council was one of 12 organisations across Scotland to be praised for its planet protecting efforts and has been recognised at the 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
The Hydro Ness team was presented with the Engaging Scotland Award at the ceremony, which featured an address by Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government minister for just transition, employment and fair work.
Hydro Ness, the Archimedes Screw installation on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness was also recently named Small Project of The Year at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA 2022). The project was commended with a Merit at the national Structural Steel Design Awards 2022 earlier this year and also won the Scottish Highlands & Islands Renewable Energy Award for Best Onshore Renewable Energy Project 2022.
Hydro Ness uses the natural flow of the River Ness to generate electricity and features a public viewing gallery and visitor attraction. The power generated will supply the nearby Inverness Leisure centre and provide approximately 50% of its electricity needs.
The scheme has been tipped to reduce carbon emissions by over 140,000 kg per annum.
The project was delivered by Highland Council, with support from architects Leslie Hutt Architect, structural engineers Hasson Engineering Solutions, steelwork contractors M. Hasson and Sons Ltd, and main contractors Bradley and Company, Hydro NI.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chair of the economy and infrastructure committee, said, “To be recognised by VIBES for winning the Engaging Scotland award is a great achievement, of which we are very proud. We hope that by taking our place amongst many excellent projects working towards achieving Scotland’s net zero ambition, we will inspire more organisations to make a difference.”
