Publication Date: Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Notice Code: 1803
Environmental Protection
SSE Generation Limited
“WATER ENVIRONMENT AND WATER SERVICES (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003
THE WATER ENVIRONMENT (CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2005
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF AN AUTHORISATION
TUMMEL HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with regulation 13 of the above Regulations, that an application has been made to the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) by SSE Generation Limited (“the applicant”) to vary water use licence number
CAR/L/1011485 authorising the carrying on of controlled activities at, near or in connection with the TUMMEL Hydro-electric
Scheme (“the authorised activities”).
The authorised activities currently have a significant adverse impact on the water environment and have or are likely to have
a significant adverse impact on the interests of other users of the water environment.
SEPA’s assessment of the current ecological status of the water bodies affected, and the environmental objectives applying
to them, are contained in the River Basin Management Plan for the Scotland River Basin District (“the Scotland RBMP”), available
on SEPA’s website at www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning/waterbody_data_sheets.aspx. Environmental objectives have
been set for 2015, 2021 and 2027.
The changes that would be necessary to restore those water bodies to good ecological status would have a significant adverse
impact on hydro-electric power generation, so the environmental objectives set for them require that all practicable steps
are taken to mitigate the adverse impact on the water environment without having a significant adverse impact on power generation.
The applicant proposes changes to the authorised activities in order to meet environmental objectives set for 2015 (“the 2015
objectives”) without any reduction in renewable energy output. The following water bodies (with the ID numbers they have
in the Scotland RBMP) will be affected:
• in the River Tay catchment: River Garry (6912, 6911, 6836), Errochty Water (6611), Allt Glas Choire (6608), Bruar Water
(6605, River Tummel (6585, 6584);
• in the River Spey catchment: River Tromie (23640, 23138), Allt Bhran (23641), River Truim (23638, 23146), Allt Cuaich (23639).
SEPA is seeking reasoned views on whether the applicant’s proposals, as a whole, are likely to:
(a) achieve, or prevent the achievement of, the 2015 objectives for the water bodies affected; and
(b) address existing significant adverse impacts on the interests of other users of the water environment or cause additional
significant adverse impacts on those interests.
Any person affected or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in, the application may make representations to SEPA
in writing within 28 days beginning with the date of this advertisement, at the following address, quoting reference number
CAR/L/1011485:
Registry Department, SEPA, Strathearn House, Broxden Business Park, Lamberkine Road, Perth PH1 1RX.
A copy of the application may be inspected free of charge,
• at the above address, between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday (except local and national holidays)
• on SEPA’s website at www.sepa.org.uk/water/hydropower/regulation.aspx - go to homepage and click on “Hydro licence reviews”
Written representations received by SEPA within 28 days of this advertisement will be taken into consideration in determining
the application. Any such representations will be placed in a public register unless the person making them requests that
they should not be. Where such a request is made SEPA will include a statement in the register indicating that representations
have been made which have been the subject of such a request.
When ready to determine the application, SEPA will serve notice on any person who has made a representation within 28 days
of this advertisement, informing them of SEPA’s proposed determination and giving them the opportunity to notify the Scottish
Ministers in writing that they object to SEPA’s proposed determination within 21 days of the notice being served.”
(13)
