Scotland plans major hydro schemes to beat England in energy race

Scotland is planning to trump England's green power revolution with the construction of scores of hydroelectricity projects.

Mott MacDonald consultant Tom Douglas said four companies have been surveying the Highlands to find sites for large hydro schemes.

He said the engineering firm had been advised up to 12 could be built.

This summer, government-sponsored Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland is expected to call for more hydro schemes, including dams and up to 100 projects that harness water from rivers.

After that, next spring Scottish and Southern Energy will switch on one of the largest green power plans being built in the UK – the 200MW hydro station at Glendoe near Loch Ness.

The Guardian reported that the Scottish want to generated 50% of their energy from renewables by 2020 - ahead of the overall UK target of 35%.