A major milestone has been achieved at a long-standing hydroelectric site near Oban, where Gilkes commissioning engineers have successfully installed a new compact Pelton turbine to replace ageing equipment first commissioned in 1936.
The original 116kW Pelton turbine, which had undergone several remedial works and control panel upgrades over the decades, was increasingly in need of mechanical improvements. Following a detailed condition assessment and full strip-down at in the Gilkes factory, it was determined that a replacement would be more cost-effective than refurbishment.
The newly installed compact Pelton turbine provides a simpler, more efficient solution with reduced maintenance requirements compared to the old system, which relied on a larger rotating assembly with additional components such as a flywheel and extra bearings.
The project scope included condition assessment of the old unit, energy calculations & design selections, foundation design for the new turbine, installation, commissioning, and future integration of remote monitoring.
Originally operating in island mode and powering the local houses, the hydro site was later connected to the national grid and continues to generate renewable power for the region. The upgrade ensures the site will remain a reliable contributor to Scotland’s renewable energy landscape for years to come.
