Acharn Power Station

Robertson Civils

The challenge

Acharn power station is a 5.5-megawatt, wood-fired power station constructed on a very remote site near Killin, Perthshire. The site was a steeply sloping hillside, initially covered in commercial forestation. The completed facility was to be set on a substantial platform and comprise: log storage, timber chipping area, chip drying, storage and transfer facilities into the gasifier shed. Gasified timber had to be collected and then fuel a CHP plant with the generated power connecting to the Grid.

Our solution

Working at pace in challenging Scottish highland conditions, the site was cleared to create a working platform by completing a large, cost-effective cut and fill exercise, to our design. The earthworks included rock excavations to create a platform large enough to facilitate all facilities required. We used 3-D ground modelling techniques; creating an initial model based on the outline information and then created a further set of models with more defined topography once the trees were removed. To add to the project’s complexity, the German manufacturers and suppliers of the plant were developing their designs in tandem with the civils construction process, so close collaboration was key to successful delivery.