Aerial View Looking East From Loch Leven Towards Kinlochleven
Under the new contract, Green Highland will assume full responsibility for daily operations and long-term maintenance of the plant, which has been in operation since 1909. The company plans to modernize the facility to enhance efficiency, extend its lifespan, and ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
As part of the transition, several members of the existing Kinlochleven team have joined Green Highland to maintain operational continuity and contribute site-specific expertise. Alex Reading, Managing Director of Green Highland, said: “It’s an honour to be trusted with the full operation and maintenance of Kinlochleven. We are also delighted to welcome members of the previous site team to Green Highland. Their knowledge, decades-long experience and passion for hydropower are a perfect fit for the Green Highland team. These skills and qualities are among the reasons why our clients have the highest level of trust in us. Now, our joint focus is to ensure the site continues to deliver vital renewable energy for another 100 years and more.”
The agreement integrates Voith Hydro’s global technical expertise with Green Highland’s local operational experience, forming what the companies describe as a comprehensive management approach for the historic site. Sunil Pandiri, Chief Service Officer at Voith Hydro and a Green Highland Board member, said: “This landmark agreement is a significant step forward in the expansion of our long-term service portfolio for our customers around the globe. Kinlochleven will benefit both from our deep knowledge as a full-line supplier and trusted service partner, as well as from the local, operational expertise of Green Highland. With our full-scope support, this hydropower plant will provide reliable renewable energy more efficiently.”
Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Kinlochleven hydropower plant includes three 10MW Francis turbines, a dam, pipelines, and the Blackwater Reservoir. The plant, which originally supplied power to an aluminium smelter, now contributes electricity to the national grid.
The site is owned by Equitix, a company specializing in long-term investment in renewable energy assets. Equitix acquired the Kinlochleven plant in 2019 and selected Green Highland as its partner to manage operations and support modernization efforts. The collaboration between Equitix, Voith Hydro, and Green Highland aims to ensure the continued generation of renewable energy and the sustainable operation of one of the UK’s most historic hydropower facilities.
