North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board
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The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (1943 - 1990) was founded to design, construct and manage hydroelectricity projects in the Highlands of Scotland. It is regarded as one of the major achievements of Scottish politician Thomas Johnston, who chaired the board from 1945 to 1959.
When the UK electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948, the Board took over the assets of the Grampian Electricity Supply Company and other bodies producing electricity in the northern part of Scotland.
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[edit] Projects
(incomplete list; needs to be put in date order)
- Glen Affric/Beauly - incorporating Loch Monar, Loch Beannacharan, Loch Mullardoch, Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin
- Glenmoriston/Glen Garry - incorporating Loch Cluanie, Loch Loyne and Loch Dunreggan in the northern section, and Loch Quoich and Loch Garry in the southern section. This scheme also includes one of the first underground power stations in the UK
- Strathfarrar and Kilmorack
- Sloy-Awe Hydro-Electric Power Scheme - located between the north end of Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne, Loch Awe and Loch Etive. The Sloy component was the first hydro-electric development by the Board and became fully operational in 1959.
- Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Power Scheme - centred around Loch Earn, Loch Lyon and Loch Tay, approximately 14 miles (22km) NNW of Callander, and completed in 1961.
[edit] Dissolution
North of Scotland Electricity plc was formed in 1989 to acquire the assets the Board ahead of privatisation, however the name was later changed to Scottish Hydro-Electric plc. The board was dissolved in March 1990 and privatised in June 1991. A further name change to Scottish and Southern Energy plc was made in December 1998 after the merger with Southern Electric plc.
