Work has commenced on two additional 'run-of-river' hydro electric schemes in the Glenfalloch Estate, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park LL&TTNPA) has announced.

The schemes at Upper Falloch and Derrydarroch are both located on the 10,000-hectare estate and join a third project at Ben Glas. All three were initially granted planning approval in 2010.

The latest work follows the successful commissioning of the 2MW Alt Fionn scheme in 2012.

The LL&TTNPA has said the four projects have a combined capacity of 6.1MW and when operational, will generate enough electricity for 4,800 homes.

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David Lowes, managing partner of Glenfalloch Estate, said: "We are very pleased at last to see the start of construction on these schemes. It has been a long journey to this point and our thanks are due to our financial partners and to the NPA, SNH and other agencies who have worked with us along the way.

"The hydro schemes are a significant boost to the estate, enabling us to invest more in our activities and to play our part in furthering the aims of the National Park in managing and protecting this incredibly beautiful yet sensitive part of Scotland."

Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, added: "We are pleased to be supporting Glenfalloch in realising the potential of the estate to generate hydro-electric power and have been delighted at the response to our innovative planning guidance, which has led to almost 40 hydro schemes being approved through our planning system in the last few years."

Work on the Upper Falloch and Derrydarroch schemes is expected to be completed this year. RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd will carry out the project. It is anticipated that work on the Ben Glas scheme will commence later this year.

(JP/MH)