As appeared on westcoastoday.co.uk
By Mike Wynd, Head of Hydro, Drax
Have you ever thought about where our power comes from? Ever wondered who keeps our lights on, kettles boiling, and Netflix streaming? Well, much of our power is generated right here, in this region, on the shores of Loch Awe.
Come rain or wind, Cruachan Power Station keeps the power on for almost one million homes each year. The Scottish Highlands alone has just over 110,000 households, so Cruachan reaches far and wide across the country to power the things we love and need.
2025 is a big year for Cruachan. This year marks the power station’s 60th anniversary. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965 and has been an iconic feature in the local landscape ever since. The plant not only creates power. It creates employment opportunities in this rural part of Scotland, and Drax, Cruachan’s owner and operator, has plans to continue this.
While we celebrate the 60th anniversary, we will be starting a major upgrade of the power station. The centrepiece is a major refurbishment of Cruachan’s generating units – the machinery which creates electricity as water rushes through its turbines. The units were commissioned in 1965 and contain parts, including their turbines, which are now 60 years old. The refurbishment is expected to take around three years with approximately 100 contractors on site, and we’re actively working to use local companies where we can.
We will be replacing the huge valves that control the waterflow through the turbines. Each valve weighs as much as three double decker buses, and in a minute can allow enough water to flow through to fill an Olympic swimming pool.
Plus, we will be installing a new transformer, which transfers electricity from the station to the grid and, from there, into TVs, kettles, offices and factories.
The project will increase the power station’s generating capacity by almost 10%, allowing us to power an extra 90,000 homes. It comes at a critical time for the UK’s energy system. The UK Government has set an ambition for a clean power system by 2030 that will see wind and solar energy become the backbone of the electricity system. Pumped storage hydro power stations, like Cruachan, will play a critical back-up role when the sun doesn’t shine, and wind doesn’t blow.
As the refurbishment takes place, guided tours of the plant will be suspended until further notice. Our Visitor Centre with free exhibition, cafe and gift shop will remain open. Do come for a visit to learn about Cruachan’s heritage, mythical history and ties to the land while we celebrate its 60th year and look ahead to the future.
Find out more at here.
Featured image caption: Construction of Cruachan Power Station Machine Hall, November 1964.
