Community Update
Second Kilfinnan Road resident’s forum scheduled
A second meeting of the Kilfinnan Road residents’ forum will be held on Wednesday 30 June. The forum will discuss survey and assessment which has been taking place along the road since the first forum in March.
Members of the Coire Glas project team will share an indicative design of the alterations required to permanently upgrade the Kilfinnan Road as part of the main Coire Glas construction works, which are planned to commence from April 2024.
The forum will provide an opportunity to discuss matters arising from the proposed upgrade and for the Coire Glas project team to listen to residents’ feedback.
Community Liaison Group formed to address Coire Glas pumped hydro storage scheme
An inaugural meeting of the Coire Glas Community Liaison Group will take place on 14 July. The Community Liaison Group (CLG) will be used to provide updates on all aspects of the project as development work progresses to refine the proposed design. It will also be an opportunity to engage in dialogue about key elements of the project such as transport movements, jobs and skills training opportunities and community investment.
The core group of invited participants will be Ward 11 and 12 Highland councillors, a representative from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, nominated representatives of Glengarry Community Council and SSE’s Kilfinnan Road residents’ forum, nominated representatives of local businesses and key members of SSE’s Coire Glas project team.
The frequency of CLG meetings will be agreed at the inaugural meeting.
Coire Glas: Timeline to construction
The Coire Glas pumped hydro storage scheme attained planning consent from the Scottish Government in October 2021. The timeline below * indicates the next steps in the project that need to be taken before construction can begin.
October 2021: Invitation to Tender for the construction contract is expected to be issued to market.
March 2022: Anticipated date for return of tenders
May 2022: First governance gate. Decision made on number of preferred tenderers.
Mid 2022: If SSE proceeds beyond the first governance gate, ground investigation works (or Exploratory Works as per condition nine in the planning consent) will commence, in parallel with detailed engineering design work with the preferred tenderers.
Mid 2023: Conclusion of ground investigation works.
Autumn 2023: Second governance gate. Selection of a final preferred tenderer.
Winter 2023: Final investment decision. A contract to undertaken construction of Coire Glas will be signed.
April 2024: Construction works begin.
* Timeline is indicative and subject to change.