Historic power station gets £2m makeover

SCOTLAND’S oldest hydroelectric power station has been given a new lease of life following a £2 million refurbishment.
Tongland Power Station was given a new look by renewable energy firm Drax with the aim of preserving the historic facility for future generations.
The project saw the power station’s exterior carefully restored using specialist materials designed to protect the category A listed building due to its importance in the development of hydropower and its ‘finely detailed modernist classical design’.
In addition to the work to the building’s external façade, Drax has revamped the site’s exhibition space within the main station building to enable the power station to once again host school tours.
Further work to the building’s internal paint work will be carried out this year.
Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s FlexGen assets director, said: “The Galloway Hydro Scheme has been generating flexible, renewable electricity for 90 years, and this major refurbishment means it will continue to do so for many more years to come.
“This was a complex project, with great care taken by Drax and our contracting partners to protect this historic building during the work. Tongland has been part of Scotland’s energy story for almost a century, so everyone involved should feel incredibly proud to see it looking as good as new.”
The completion of Tongland’s external refurbishment is part of a wider investment in Scotland by Drax.
The company is currently installing around 1,500 solar panels across its Galloway and Lanark hydro schemes, with work soon to start on an upgrade at its Glenlee site.