SSE has won more than £100 million in compensation after the collapse of a tunnel at its Glendoe hydro-electric scheme near Fort Augustus nearly 10 years ago.

The energy firm took legal action against engineering company Hochtief after a rock fall caused the 100MW scheme to shut down, just seven months after it had opened.

Despite a ruling in 2016 by Lord Woolman at the Court of Session in Edinburgh that the main part of SSE's claim had failed, yesterday two out of three judges (Lords Menzies and Glennie) said SSE Generation should be awarded more than £107m over the cost of the recovery project, in addition to a further £1m in damages.

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Speaking on the ruling Martin Pibworth, Wholesale Director at SSE, said: "SSE welcomes the positive decision of the Court of Session today concerning the tunnel collapse at our Glendoe Hydro Scheme near Fort Augustus.

"The Hydro Scheme had to be shut down for nearly three years whilst rectification works resulting from a defect which existed prior to take over of the scheme by SSE were carried out. Since its re-opening in 2012, Glendoe has been making an important contribution to Britain's electricity supply."

(LM)