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develop the technologies to decarbonise the power system such as wind and solar, but what we really need now is greater flexibility to fully optimise those technologies. That’s why the success of long-duration storage projects such as Cruachan 2 is absolutely vital to Scotland and the whole of the UK.” In order to move forward with the project, Drax must secure consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 from the Scottish Government – a process which will take around one year to complete from the application’s submission. Alongside a successful Section 36 application, the project will also require an updated policy and market support mechanism from the UK Government. The existing lack of a framework for long-duration electricity storage and flexibility technologies means that private investment cannot currently be secured in new pumped storage hydro projects, with no new plants built anywhere in the UK since 1984 despite their critical role in decarbonisation.
Canada Kitcisakik and Hydro-Québec launch Animiki Ickote project Hydro-Québec and the Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik have announced details of a project to connect the village currently located along Dozois reservoir in Quebec, Canada, to Hydro-Québec’s grid. The project is called Animiki Ickote, which means “electricity” in Anishnabe, and is expected to take 36 to 48 months to complete. In collaboration with Kitcisakik, Hydro- Québec is assembling a technical committee to determine the best possible solutions to ensure the success of the project, which includes the construction of a 25-kV line between Louvicourt substation and the village, as well as a local distribution system within the community. This major initiative will require several months of engineering work, studies and construction. The technical committee will closely monitor every stage of the project to ensure optimal and timely execution. The design and equipment construction costs, which will be established at a later date, will be entirely assumed by Hydro-Québec. At the same time, the Secrétariat aux affaires
autochtones du Québec (SAA) will support members of the Kitcisakik community as they adapt their homes to the new power system by funding work to make the installations compliant with current standards. The community buildings will be connected to the new local system thanks to financial assistance from Indigenous Services Canada. The project to connect Kitcisakik to the grid will not impact the community’s relocation in a few years, which is currently being prepared. Until their move, Kitcisakik residents will benefit from adequate electricity service once the project is complete. “The project to supply electricity to our village has been long awaited by our members, for whom it is very significant,” commented Chief
Régis Penosway, Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik. “In addition to improving the quality of life of each individual, the electrification of Kitcisakik’s buildings will impact the environment and the community’s economic development. I am very proud of our participation in the project and of the work we have accomplished.” “Access to a reliable power system is essential
to the development of Indigenous communities in remote areas and to the attainment of a satisfactory level of comfort. I am thrilled that our government is working together with Hydro- Québec and the community of Kitcisakik to lead this project, which I am sure will make all the difference for local residents,” added Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Europe
Reports says 2021 was record breaking year for dam removal in Europe
At least 239 barriers were removed from rivers in 2021 by practitioners from 17 European countries, making it a record-breaking year for dam removal on the continent, a new report says. The Dam Removal Europe Annual report 2021 says that there was an increase of 137% of barriers removed compared to the previous year. Of the 239 dams removed, 76% of the barriers were low-head dams and weirs, but 24% of the total were higher than 2 meters. Spain was highlighted as the leading country with 108 structures removed from its rivers, including the tallest dam taken out in 2021 (13 meters high). Portugal, Montenegro, and Slovakia recorded their first ever removal and in Finland a functioning hydropower dam has been dismantled. Restoring at least 25000 km of rivers to a
free-flowing state is flagged as one of the key elements of the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which is part of the European Green Deal. The outcomes of this annual report will be
presented at the 7th Dam Removal Europe seminar “Connected Rivers” in Lisbon (May 19-21) which happens in conjunction with the world- wide celebrations of World Fish Migration Day.
Scotland
Strabag selected for Coire Glas exploratory works After a rigorous tendering process, SSE Renewables has selected Strabag UK to undertake the exploratory works for the 150MW Coire Glas project in Scotland, the first large- scale pumped hydro storage scheme to be built in the UK for more than 30 years. Scheduled to begin at the site this summer,
the exploratory works will provide essential information on the nature of underground conditions at the location. The findings will be used to inform the final design of the project and will be an important consideration in SSE Renewables’ final decision on whether to
US
FirstLight acquires new hydro facilities
FirstLight Power has acquired two Western Pennsylvania hydroelectric facilities with a total capacity of 31.3MW from H2O Power. Located on the Allegheny River, the 13.6MW Allegheny 8 project and 17.9 MW Allegheny 9 project are located at existing federal lock and dam facilities operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Currently, the facilities are providing their
hydropower to the New York market under a long-term power purchase agreement with New York State Electric and Gas Company (NYSEG). With the strategic acquisition, FirstLight said it is contining the growth of the it’s clean energy portfolio while expanding its footprint into the PJM and New York electricity markets. “With several strategic partnerships and acquisitions, 2022 has been an exciting year of growth for FirstLight, and we are pleased to now be able to directly deliver clean energy to New Yorkers on a daily basis through our acquisition of the Allegheny hydroelectric facilities,” said Alicia Barton, President and CEO of FirstLight. “We are also excited to welcome the Allegheny Hydro employees to our talented FirstLight team who collectively possess vast experience operating renewable and storage assets – both of which will be vital as we continue our expansion into new markets across North America.” As part of the transaction, which was completed on May 1, 2022, FirstLight will add five members of the Allegheny Hydro operations team. The Allegheny acquisition follows several
strategic partnerships for FirstLight. In February, it announced a new partnership in Connecticut to advance new hybrid renewable energy projects across the state and the company was part a successful investment consortium that secured a lease in the recent NY Bight Offshore Wind auction. In March, the company announced a strategic partnership with Borrego to develop new solar and storage generation at FirstLight’s existing hydropower facilities in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
www.waterpowermagazine.com | June 2022 | 7
proceed with the project. The work will see the creation of a tunnel
approximately 4m wide and up to 1km long, which will cut into the hillside towards the proposed location of the underground powerhouse complex. Samples of the materials within the hill will be analysed, and survey and assessment work will be carried out to give a detailed understanding of the geological conditions. The information will then be used in detailed design of the tunnel and cavern support structures. The selection of Strabag UK as the preferred
tenderer will enable detailed preparations for the works to be progressed over the coming months, including engagement with businesses in Lochaber to identify supply chain opportunities.
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