Hydro scheme delivers sustainable energy
Rannoch Smokery has developed a £2m hydro scheme that supplies renewable energy exclusively to M&S. Under the scheme, excess water from two rivers on Innerhadden estate
is siphoned off before being transported through underground pipes. It drives a turbine to produce energy, which is fed into the National Grid.
- Rannoch Smokery started as a farm diversification
operation in the early 1980's by the owners of
Innerhadden Estate, the Barclay family.
- The hydro scheme required a £2m investment and
these costs were met wholly by the business.
- The scheme is now supplying 5000MWh to the
national grid via a 5 year agreement with M&S
- The whole process took four years from initial
research through to the production of electricity.
- Richard Barclay and the Rannoch team continue
to seek out innovative ways to grow and later this
year will introduce a microwavable range of retail
and foodservice products based on the principles
of sous vide.
Rannoch Smokery began in the early 1980's when founder Leo Barclay was snowed in
one Christmas and unable to deliver three deer carcasses to the local game
dealer. Undaunted, he cured them in the family bathtub, then smoked them in an
outhouse. Now under the steerage of Richard Barclay, the estate has diversified
again
with the introduction of an innovative hydro scheme.
Now employing 20 people, Rannoch Smokery has gone
from strength to strength and has maintained an average
annual growth rate of around 18 per cent: however, it
doesn't create enough income to also run the estate in the
traditional manner which the Barclay family wish
to maintain.
After much research, a hydro scheme was considered to be
the most effective environmentally friendly way to generate
the additional income needed to safeguard the future of
the estate. The scheme uses excess water from the two
rivers at Innerhadden estate which is then siphoned off
before being transported through underground pipes. It
drives a turbine to produce energy which is then fed into the
National Grid.
As a starting point, Richard Barclay and a specialist consultant spent almost
two years undertaking some detailed research into options available,
undertaking
environmental impact studies and seeking approval. Some
of the work required included an impact assessment on
fish and animal habitats and discussions with Scottish and
Southern Energy to explore how the power generated could
physically link to the National Grid. Two years may seem a
long time but, given a projected investment of almost £2m,
it was critical to get things right from the start.
Did you know?
Hydro power is a key source of renewable energy in Scotland accounting for 10
per cent of the nation's current energy generation
(Source: Scottish Government).
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