Lochaber hydroelectric scheme

Lochaber hydroelectric scheme
Country	United Kingdom
Location	Fort William, Scotland, UK
Coordinates	56°49′47″N 5°04′13″W / 56.8296°N 5.0702°W / 56.8296; -5.0702
Status	Operational
Construction began	1924
Commission date	1929 (refurbished 2008-2012)
Power generation
Units operational	5 × 17.3 MW
Make and model	Andritz Hydro Francis turbines
Nameplate capacity	88 MW
External links
Commons	Related media on Commons
[edit on Wikidata]

The Lochaber hydroelectric scheme is a hydroelectric power generation project constructed in the Lochaber area of the western Scottish Highlands after the First World War. Like its predecessors at Kinlochleven and Foyers, it was designed to provide electricity for aluminium production, this time at Fort William.

Water is collected from the River Spean catchment, plus the headwaters of the River Spey and some smaller watercourses. It contains two main reservoirs Loch Treig and Laggan Reservoir, and 18 miles (29 km) of tunnels excavated through the hillside.

The scheme was originally built between 1924 and 1943 by the British Aluminium Company. This company was bought by Canadian-based Alcan in 1982 which was subsequently bought by Rio Tinto in 2008. Rio Tinto Alcan then sold the scheme to GFG Alliance in November 2016.^[1]

The hydroelectric scheme and aluminium smelter are still in operation.