SSE is celebrating 70 years of operation at Invergarry Power Station, a key part of the Great Glen Hydro Scheme and one of the many remarkable projects delivered during the pioneering years of hydro-electric development in the Scottish Highlands.
Officially opened on 5 October 1956, Invergarry was developed during a transformative period when the Highlands became one of the largest construction sites in Europe. Alongside dozens of other hydro projects built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, the station helped harness Scotland's natural resources to deliver clean, reliable electricity while bringing jobs, investment and new opportunities to communities across the region.
Part of the wider Great Glen Hydro Scheme, Invergarry was built as part of a network of hydro-electric stations connected by the Highland Grid transmission system, enabling renewable electricity generated in some of Scotland's most remote landscapes to be transported to homes, businesses and communities across the north of Scotland.
The development of Scotland's hydro-electric network remains one of the country's most significant engineering achievements. Across the wider hydro programme, 54 power stations and 78 dams were constructed, creating an enduring legacy that continues to support Scotland's energy system today.
Robert Bryce, Director of Hydro at SSE Renewables, said:
“Invergarry has been part of Scotland's energy story for 70 years. Built during a period of unprecedented hydro-electric development in the Highlands, the station helped unlock the potential of the Great Glen and has been generating renewable electricity ever since."
"What makes Invergarry special is not just its history, but its continued contribution today. Seventy years after it first entered service, it remains an active part of our hydro fleet, helping provide renewable, flexible power as we build the clean electricity system needed for the future."
Gillian O'Reilly, Head of Heritage at SSE, said:
"The story of Invergarry reflects a period when engineering ambition transformed communities across the Highlands. The photographs, plans and records held in our archive capture the scale of the construction effort and pay tribute to the people who helped make these pioneering schemes a reality."
"Anniversaries like this provide an opportunity to connect the past with the present. Invergarry remains a working power station today, demonstrating how infrastructure built generations ago continues to support Scotland's energy needs while offering lessons and inspiration for the projects being developed now."
Invergarry remains an important part of SSE's hydro fleet, continuing to generate renewable electricity while demonstrating the enduring value of infrastructure built to serve generations. As new hydro projects take shape, the station stands as a reminder of what can be achieved through long-term vision, ambition and commitment.