Energy Minister Jim Mather says: “In capitalising on our greatest natural asset - our water - Scotland has long harnessed green energy from arguably the most successful hydro schemes in the world. This scheme follows in that proud tradition and is the largest to be consented in Scotland for five years. The scheme will bring a substantial number of jobs and local economic benefits and is an excellent example of how we can use our natural resources to create new, low carbon jobs.”

The Scottish Government's target is to meet 50% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.

There is around 7 GW of renewable energy (including hydropower) capacity installed, under construction or consented around Scotland, which will take Scotland beyond the interim target of 31% of Scotland's electricity demand from renewable sources by 2011.