Deputy First Minister John Swinney has opened a new £3.5m hydro power scheme in Argyll.

The jointly owned Merk Hydro project was unveiled by Mr Swinney today 24 August in Glen Fyne.

The scheme is now connected to the national grid and is estimated to produce approximately 3.2m kWh each year, equivalent to the annual consumption of over 800 homes.

The project has been developed by four partners: MEG Renewables, Richard Grubb & family, CRF Hydro Power and Here We Are/Our Hydro.

Speaking as he visited the site, Mr Swinney said: "Scotland was one of the first countries to harness power from its waters and the world's first to develop hydro power.


"We have the capacity to do much more with our wonderful hydro resource, to generate clean power and store the vast power of renewables.

"The Scottish Government is defining a distinctive approach to Scotland's future energy provision – putting communities at the heart of decisions about their local energy system – and empowering them to take an economic stake in new developments.

"Merk Hydro, which has been driven forward in part by the local community, is a prime example of a community working with the renewables industry – where all stakeholders stand to benefit from greater partnership working in bringing forward renewable energy projects.

"The Scottish Government believes this approach offers Scotland the opportunity for improved community empowerment, a leading and respected renewable energy industry, and increased local economic and social benefits."

Christina Noble, from community organisation Here We Are, added: "Today is the culmination of nine years of effort.

"We are proud that Mr Swinney has come to celebrate with us the opening of a scheme that many within the sector considered could not be built, so it was nearly impossible to finance it.

"We look forward to wet days ahead when, rather than bemoaning the rain, we'll be anticipating the revenue it generates."

(LM)