A ceremony was held at Cruachan power station yesterday (7th October 2014), where ScottishPower Hydro Group Manager Ross Galbraith accepted a plaque awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

The award, presented annually, usually honours an engineer who has made a significant contribution to the built environment. However, for the first time, this year ICE is presenting the award to a civil engineering project.

The plaque was presented by Lawrence Shackman, head of the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch of ICE.  The Institution is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise.

Lawrence Shackman from ICE said:

“Cruachan is a magnificent example of civil engineering and was ahead of its time in providing a sustainable source of energy. The plaque is dedicated to the scheme as well as all those people responsible for its design and construction.”

Ross Galbraith, ScottishPower Hydro Group Manager, said:

“We are delighted that the station has received this award. Cruachan is an incredible feat of engineering, and the quality of the original design and construction has stood the test of time. We are all proud to be involved with the station and work hard to ensure it will remain an important part of meeting the UK’s energy demands for years to come.”

Designed by Scottish engineer Sir Edward McColl and operational since 1965, Cruachan Power Station is a pumped storage hydro power station owned and operated by ScottishPower. Located near Oban, the station is built into the hollowed out rock of a mountain, Ben Cruachan. It uses electricity from the grid at times of low demand to pump water from Loch Awe, to its storage reservoir part way up the mountain. At times of peak demand, this water is released from the reservoir through the station’s turbines to generate electricity allowing the station to supply up to 440MW of electricity.

Notes to Editors:

• Cruachan is located near Oban, built into the mountain Ben Cruachan at the side of Loch Awe
• The station has previously been awarded  the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Engineering Heritage Award in 2012
• Established in 1818, ICE has over 80,000 members throughout the world including over 60,000 in the UK and 8,000 in Scotland

Press Office Contact: Kim Jackson, 0141 614 4359