Green Highland, a subsidiary of Voith, has signed a long-term agreement to operate and maintain the Kinlochleven hydropower plant, one of the oldest in the UK.

Under the contract, Green Highland will take full responsibility for daily operations and long-term maintenance of the facility, which was commissioned in 1909. The company will modernise the site to improve performance, extend its lifespan, and ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.

As part of the transition, members of the existing Kinlochleven team have joined Green Highland to provide continuity and site-specific expertise.

“It’s an honour to be trusted with the full operation and maintenance of Kinlochleven,” said Alex Reading, Managing Director at Green Highland. “We are also delighted to welcome members of the previous site team to Green Highland. Their knowledge, decades-long experience and passion for hydropower are a perfect fit for the Green Highland team. These skills and qualities are among the reasons why our clients have the highest level of trust in us. Now, our joint focus is to ensure the site continues to deliver vital renewable energy for another 100 years and more.”

The agreement combines Voith Hydro’s global technical resources with Green Highland’s local operational expertise, creating what the companies describe as a comprehensive approach to managing the historic site.

“This landmark agreement is a significant step forward in the expansion of our long-term service portfolio for our customers around the globe,” said Sunil Pandiri, Chief Service Officer at Voith Hydro and Green Highland Board member. “Kinlochleven will benefit both from our deep knowledge as a full-line supplier and trusted service partner, as well as from the local, operational expertise of Green Highland. With our full-scope support, this hydropower plant will provide reliable renewable energy more efficiently.”

Kinlochleven, located in the Scottish Highlands, includes three 10MW Francis turbines, a dam, pipelines, and the Blackwater Reservoir. The plant originally powered an aluminium smelter and now supplies electricity to the national grid.

The site is owned by Equitix, which acquired the plant in 2019. The company focuses on long-term investment in renewable energy and selected Green Highland as its partner for Kinlochleven’s continued modernization and operation.