SSE's Foyers Power Station, located on the banks of Loch Ness, is marking its 50th anniversary this week. The pumped storage hydro facility, the construction of which began in 1969, was officially opened on 3rd April 1975 by the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt. Hon. William Ross.

The 300MW Foyers power station remains a significant asset in SSE's hydro fleet, continuing to contribute to powering homes and businesses across Scotland. The facility can generate electricity in just 30 seconds, utilising water that travels through two miles of tunnels and shafts from Loch Mhor.

To commemorate the milestone, a celebratory event is planned for early next month, bringing together current and former employees of the power station to share memories and stories.

Robert Bryce, Director of Hydro – SSE Renewables, commented on the anniversary: "This week we mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Foyers Power Station, and celebrate its contribution over the past five decades. Foyers Power Station has played an important role in the UK's energy mix since it opened in 1975, and its importance continues to this day. As we move to more intermittent forms of energy such as onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar generation, flexible pumped storage hydro facilities such as Foyers help to balance the grid and utilise excess renewable energy in the system."

-- Advertisement --

Gillian O'Reilly, Head of Heritage – SSE, added: "Foyers Power Station is one of the many fantastic hydro assets we have at SSE, and this week we celebrate 50 years since it was officially opened. Early next month, we will have a celebratory event with current and former colleagues from Foyers who will come together and share their stories and memories from the station's opening in 1975 to its present-day operations."

During the construction of the power station, which was completed in 1974, engineers temporarily lowered the water level in Loch Mhor in 1973. This revealed a 'crannog', an artificial island built and inhabited by prehistoric people, the details of which were documented before being submerged again when the water level was restored.

Each of Foyers' two pump-turbines weighs over 900 tonnes, with the rotating part of each weighing over 300 tonnes. Remarkably, the power station can begin generating electricity from a standing start in under two minutes. Alternatively, the machinery can be spun in air to act as a 'spinning reserve', allowing electricity to be supplied in less than 30 seconds.