Hydro Ness project commended with Merit at prestigious national steel awards

7th October 2022

Photograph of Hydro Ness project commended with Merit at prestigious national steel awards

Highland Council's renewable energy installation, Hydro Ness, has been commended with a Merit from judges at the prestigious, national Structural Steel Design Awards 2022.

The Archimedes Screw installation on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness was shortlisted for the main awards earlier this year.

This year marks the 54th Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA), jointly sponsored by BCSA and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in London at the end of September and Hydro Ness today received notification of its Merit.

Chair of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee, Cllr Karl Rosie said: "Of course it would have been nice to win the top award, but the fact Hydro Ness has been recognised with a Merit shows what a great example of sustainability and innovation the installation is.

“This recognition will help enhance the profile of Hydro Ness and help champion ambitious, green, self-supply energy opportunities, as well as support and encourage positive change."

Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Hydro Ness was designed with sustainability in mind and its low carbon steel structure is a great example of how construction can help us meet the demands of the climate emergency and our move to achieve net zero emissions by 2025.”

Hydro Ness was also short-listed as a finalist for The VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards and as a finalist in the Highlands & Islands Renewable Energy Awards 2022.

Hydro Ness will generate and supply over 500,000 kwh of green electricity annually to the nearby Inverness Leisure Centre - this will offset the organisations reliance on grid supplied electricity and also help reduce the councils carbon footprint.

The scheme is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 140,000 kg per annum. This is also strengthened using natural resources in the form of an historically and ecologically important river.

The project was delivered by Highland Council, with support from architects Leslie Hutt Architect, structural engineers Hasson Engineering Solutions, steelwork contractors M.Hasson and Sons Ltd., and the main contractors Bradley and Company, Hydro NI.

The judges commented: “This unusual steel structure houses a small hydroelectric unit producing renewable energy and providing school children with a practical educational opportunity. Its eye-catching form is of a leaping salmon with stainless steel perforated panels representing fish scales on an arched skeleton. A small but significant project demonstrating the versatility of steel.”

Also included in the Merit’s notes, the judges said: “The safe, accurate completion of Hydro Ness illustrates the quality, versatility, and efficiency of structural steel and is a tribute to the skill of the steelwork contractor, working closely with the architect, the engineer, and the main contractor to deliver what it is hoped will become an iconic and renowned symbol of Inverness, worthy of its stunning Highland setting.”

Highland Council partnered with the Science Skills Academy (SSA) which delivers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities to school pupils from across the Highlands of Scotland. The Hydro Ness scheme offers a unique and accessible opportunity for young people to visit and better understand key STEM skills and learning in practice.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Are Chromebooks Taking Over Our Classrooms? Highland Schools Face Questions About Digital Learning

The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education.  Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.