Group behind £625m Loch Ness hydro system "hopeful" of approval

Developers wanting to build a controversial hydro scheme at Loch Ness say they're "confident" they'll get the go-ahead.

The £625 million "Red John" pumped storage hydro project went to a local public inquiry last year after it was rejected by Highland Councillors twice.

A report on Red John has been given to Scottish Government Ministers who will make a decision on the matter.

Intelligent Land Investments (ILI) Group CEO Mark Wilson is feeling positive the project will get the green light.

He said: "There's a lot of work gone into it since 2015. We've worked closely with all the local communities.

"We would be confident. You can never say for sure, but everyone has done their best to get the right decision.

"We would be hopeful we would get an approval."

There's been concerns about the project's impact on the landscape and how access around Loch Ness would be effected which lead to Highland Council rejecting the planning application twice.

However, Mr Wilson feels the project will now receive a more positive response.

He also outlined how many jobs Red John and other pumped storage hydro systems could create.

He added: "Since then, we've had the report seen as one of the best applications by Scottish Natural Heritage.

"There've been changes to the development itself over the last two years and we feel now that's it's in a shape the majority of people now see the project as a very positive thing for the area.

"If all the projects that are in the pipeline are in the pipeline, that would create up to 10,000 new green jobs.

"These projects, they're big construction projects. They take up to six years to get built, so between all of us that's billions of pounds being injected into the economy and that will help stimulate the economy."

Highland Council Leader and Loch Ness Councillor Margaret Davidson has previously raised her issues with the project and still has concerns.

She also tells us what she would do if Red John got the backing from Scottish Ministers.

Cllr Davidson said: "There was a lot of unease about it, but the principle one for me is that this has a potential impact on the landscape value of Loch Ness.

"God knows that is one of the jewels of the Highland tourism crown.

"This (project) has got a lot of impacts for where it is.

"Just think about the impact on those narrow single track roads, built for horses and carts and going to be taking huge construction equipment on south Loch Ness.

"First thing I'd want to do is get the community liaison group going, which is people from south Loch Ness, plus I asked for someone from north Loch Ness.

"These are the folks who are going to be seeing most from the other side of the Loch.

"Then we can work together with the company to mitigate what I've always thought could be damaging measures and help them understand the impact of what they're doing."

The Scottish Government said a decision on Red John will be made in "due course."

A spokesperson said: "The independent reporter has submitted her report and recommendation to Scottish Ministers in relation to this proposed development.

"Ministers, who will make the final decision on this application, will consider the report in full and make their decision in due course.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

The hydro system, located near Dores, would run between Loch Ness and Loch Duntelchaig.

It allows the grid to store energy which cannot be absorbed naturally during times of peak wind or solar generation.

It uses this power to pump water between upper and lower reservoirs.

Here, the water can be held until times of demand, when it is released to the lower reservoir through turbines generating electricity like a conventional hydro plant.

This process can be repeated as required.