MSP John Swinney has visited SSE Renewables' Tummel Bridge Hydro Plant, which is currently undergoing a £50m investment project to repower the nearly 90-year-old Hydro-Electric Power Station in Highland Perthshire.

The Perthshire North MSP was accompanied by local councillor Mike Williamson.

Refurbishment works at Tummel Bridge Power Station commenced in Spring 2022 and a further 14 months will be required to complete the project. The work will involve the replacement of the hydro station's two turbines, which were installed when Tummel Bridge started producing energy in 1933, with modern units. When completed in Autumn 2023, the project will see the installed power capacity at the Tummel Bridge Hydro Plant increase from today's 34MW to 40MW.

Removal of the existing units and foundations continues to make good progress since commencing in late Spring. Pouring of approximately 4,500 tonnes of concrete is anticipated to begin this Autumn.

SSE Renewables provided Mr Swinney and Mr Williamson with a guided tour of the ongoing works at the iconic station and discussed how the upgraded hydro station with its increased power output will help contribute to achieving SSE Renewables' plans to double its installed renewable energy capacity to 8GW by 2026 and to increase capacity to over 13GW by 2031. This will result in a fivefold increase in SSE's renewables output to over 50TWh annually over the next decade.

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Gregor Alexandersse Finance Director, said: "Hydro is Scotland's original renewable energy source and will continue to play a massive role long into the future. This is the largest single investment SSE Renewables has made in the refurbishment of its existing hydro fleet in recent times.

"The £50 million investment will help secure local jobs and supply chain opportunities by extending Tummel's operational life by at least 40 years, increase its potential power output and support SSE Renewables' commitment to significantly contribute to government Net Zero targets."

John Swinney, MSP, said: "The commitment by SSE to refurbish the Tummel Bridge hydro station is a fantastic investment in the hydroelectric network. This was a visionary scheme when it was designed in the 1930s, and the power system has had so much value out of the investment that was made all those years ago.

"The £50 million investment being made by SSE to refurbish, modernise and futureproof this vital hydro station is really welcome. It's an impressive project to see, it's essentially stripping out all of the infrastructure that's been here before but it's so impressive to see the way in which that's been done in such an orderly and organised fashion."

Mike Williamson, added: "Tummel Bridge is a vital part of the local economy and it's great to see SSE Renewables investing in the future of the hydro station which will ensure the requirement of skilled jobs in the area.

"Not only is it good for the local economy but by upgrading the hydro station it will increase the power output which is great news for achieving NetZero targets."

The repowering works are expected to be completed in late 2023, coinciding with the hydro power plant's 90th anniversary.