This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7171802.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Hydro tunnel makes breakthrough | Hydro tunnel makes breakthrough |
(30 minutes later) | |
A huge boring machine has completed a five mile tunnel for a £140m hydro-electric scheme it started digging 15 months ago. | |
The 220-metre long Eliza Jane made its breakthrough at Glendoe, Fort Augustus, on Monday morning. | |
Scottish and Southern Energy's plant above Loch Ness will generate power for 250,000 homes. The scheme is expected to begin operating later this year. | Scottish and Southern Energy's plant above Loch Ness will generate power for 250,000 homes. The scheme is expected to begin operating later this year. |
It is the first large-scale hydro-electric project since 1957. | It is the first large-scale hydro-electric project since 1957. |
A network of nine miles of tunnels has been dug to carry water to an underground power station and provide access to the plant. | A network of nine miles of tunnels has been dug to carry water to an underground power station and provide access to the plant. |
See the route of the tunnel | See the route of the tunnel |
In 2006, a convoy of lorries carried the tunnelling machine in parts from Inverness to Fort Augustus down the A82. | In 2006, a convoy of lorries carried the tunnelling machine in parts from Inverness to Fort Augustus down the A82. |
Pupils at Kilchuimen Academy, Fort Augustus, dubbed it the Eliza Jane. | Pupils at Kilchuimen Academy, Fort Augustus, dubbed it the Eliza Jane. |
Prime Minister Tony Blair ignited an explosive charge to begin the creation of the five-mile tunnel in hills above Loch Ness. | Prime Minister Tony Blair ignited an explosive charge to begin the creation of the five-mile tunnel in hills above Loch Ness. |
The scheme involves the construction of a 1,000m dam at the head of Glen Tarff and the building of an underground power station inside Borlum Hill. | The scheme involves the construction of a 1,000m dam at the head of Glen Tarff and the building of an underground power station inside Borlum Hill. |