Angus MacDonald MP has called on ministers in Edinburgh and London to ensure Highland communities are not left behind as major new energy projects move closer to becoming a reality.
The Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire MP spoke out following Ofgem’s provisional backing for three new pumped storage hydro schemes across the Highlands.
At present, there is no legal requirement for pump storage developments to provide community benefit payments at a set rate per megawatt generated.
Figures highlighted by Mr MacDonald suggest the renewables sector delivered £7 million in community benefit funding across the Highlands during 2025 and £30 million across Scotland as a whole.
The MP believes that imbalance must be addressed as more large scale projects are proposed across the region.
Angus MacDonald said:
“It’s all downside for the communities hosting the proposed massive pump storage sites across the Highlands, with no upside.
“About 4 gigawatts (GW) of energy will be generated when the water is released, a massive contributor to Britain’s net zero aspirations, however, they will have next to no positive impact for the Highlands, where they will be sited.”
Mr MacDonald said he has spoken with and written to Michael Shanks, the Minister for Energy, urging action over what he describes as the price Highland communities continue to pay despite the growth in renewable energy developments.
“There will be very few local jobs, and squads of workers will be brought in to build the projects, housed in temporary cabins, with no legacy housing either.
“Neither the Westminster Government or the Scottish Government have highlighted the need for them to pay community benefits.
“Many constituents are seriously concerned that the projects will come at the expense of local communities and the land they inhabit, whilst providing little benefit to the communities themselves.”
The issue is one Mr MacDonald has repeatedly raised at Westminster, most recently during a debate on nationally significant energy infrastructure projects.
During that debate he highlighted that the three proposed pump storage schemes would store four gigawatts of energy in an area that experiences some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Britain.
An upcoming report commissioned by the MP will also examine what he describes as the rural premium faced by Highland communities, including the energy costs paid by households and businesses.
