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Cruachan Power Station / Cruachan Environmental Management

Emissions and Waste Management

Cruachan operates with minimal direct release of emissions to the atmosphere, water or land and generates limited waste.

A key environmental priority for Cruachan, due to its lochside location, is to ensure its operations have no adverse effects on Loch Awe, which is renowned as a fishery and for its resident Osprey. As a safeguard the station has invested significant sums of money in equipment that prevents any oil, from electrical plant or vehicles, entering the loch.

Cruachan’s Visitors Centre was designed to be environmentally sustainable, with features such as low-energy lighting, "grey" water for toilet flushing and recycling of virtually all waste. The centre has won various green business tourism awards over the years.

Biodiversity

Cruachan’s boundary covers an area from its reservoir, 360 metres up on the slopes of Ben Cruachan, to the offices by the banks of Loch Awe, taking in a wide range of habitats.

The site is adjacent to an area of ancient Caledonian Oak forest, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Cruachan launched a Biodiversity Action Plan in 2004, to promote and enhance habitats and species in the station grounds and surrounding area. Projects to date have included native tree planting, the creation of a wildflower garden and the nurturing of young Oak saplings to create a new woodland near Cruachan’s dam.

Performance - 2008

• Cruachan generated 885 GWh of electricity in 2008, compared with 860 GWh in 2007
• The station implemented its Water Resource Licence Monitoring Plan, as required by the Water Framework Directive
• Further energy savings measures were installed including timers to switch off power in the locker room and mess room after a certain time, and photocells at the contractors’ compound to reduce the amount of power used in floodlighting
• New, more fuel efficient cars and buses were purchased, helping to cut CO₂ emissions
• Management of waste paper was improved and fortnightly uplifts by the council for recycling arranged and new bins were installed for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment