North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board

The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (1943 - 1990) was founded to design, construct and manage hydroelectricity projects in the Highlands of Scotland. It is regarded as one of the major achievements of Scottish politician Thomas Johnston, who chaired the board from 1945 to 1959.

When the UK electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948, the Board took over the assets of the Grampian Electricity Supply Company and other bodies producing electricity in the northern part of Scotland.

The headquarters of the Board were in Rothesay Terrace, Edinburgh (outside the Board's operating area).

Projects

(incomplete list; needs to be put in date order)

• Shin

• Conon

• Affric-Beauly hydro-electric power scheme - incorporating Loch Monar, Loch Beannacharan, Loch Mullardoch, Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin. Power stations at Fasnakyle, Strathfarrar and Kilmorack

• Great Glen scheme: Glenmoriston/Glen Garry - incorporating Loch Cluanie, Loch Loyne and Loch Dunreggan in the northern section, and Loch Quoich and Loch Garry in the southern section. This scheme also includes one of the first underground power stations in the UK

• Sloy-Awe Hydro-Electric Power Scheme - located between the north end of Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne, Loch Awe and Loch Etive. The Sloy component was the first hydro-electric development by the Board and became fully operational in 1959.

• Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Power Scheme - centred around Loch Earn, Loch Lyon and Loch Tay, approximately 14 miles (22km) NNW of Callander, and completed in 1961.

• Tummel hydro-electric power scheme

• Ben Cruachan scheme. Owned by Scottish Power following privatisation.

Dissolution

North of Scotland Electricity plc was formed in 1989 to acquire the assets the Board ahead of privatisation, however the name was later changed to Scottish Hydro-Electric plc. The board was dissolved in March 1990 and privatised in June 1991. The company's head office was moved from Edinburgh to Perth.

A further name change to Scottish and Southern Energy plc was made in December 1998 after the merger with Southern Electric plc. The brand name "Scottish Hydro-Electric" continues to be used for the company's Scottish business.

See also

• Energy policy of the United Kingdom
• Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom

References

• "Power From the Glens" (PDF). Scottish and Southern Energy. http://www.scottish-southern.co.uk/sseinternet/assets/569CABFE-1165-4ED8-9419-CF3B5A64BC98.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-29. 

External links

• The Corestore website has details, drawings, and photos of many of the Hydro Board power stations