CRF Hydro Power¹  has switched to Clydesdale Bank to help support the redevelopment of its Garbhaig hydropower scheme. The Garbhaig hydro scheme was originally launched in 1997 and currently has a maximum output of 915KW. The redevelopment will see the power station move downhill and its generating capacity more than double to 2MW – enough to power approximately 1,800 homes.

 

Clydesdale Bank is providing £3.85m in new funding, as part of a multi-million pound package, to enable CRF Hydro to establish a 2MW storage hydropower scheme at the site in Wester Ross. The deal was completed by Adam Heslop, Director for Renewable Energy at Clydesdale Bank – based at its Business and Private Banking Centre in Edinburgh.

 

Clydesdale Bank’s support will also help the company deliver the Merk hydro project in Glen Fyne, which is a joint venture with the local community. The Merk scheme, which is expected to go live in early 2015, will deliver 1MW of energy.

“We are extremely pleased to now be in a position to be progressing our redevelopment plans for Garbhaig. Schemes like it, and Merk have a key role to play in delivering sustainable energy while also playing an important role in their local communities," said Roy Foster, co-owner of CRF Hydro Power. “We’ve been impressed by the level of knowledge of the renewable sector which Clydesdale Bank’s team has displayed. That has been instrumental in allowing us to complete this deal quickly and put our plans into action.”
 

Adam Heslop, director for renewable Energy at Clydesdale Bank, believes hydro power and other renewable energy projects will have an increasingly prominent part to play in Scotland. To that end, he said Clydesdale Bank is pleased to support the enhancement of the Garbhaig facility.
 

“Roy Foster and his team have more than 30 years’ experience of the sector and operating in and around local communities in the North West," Heslop added. "Their growth ambitions in the coming years are impressive and will further boost the rural economy.”

 

REFERENCES