Opened in 1965 by Queen Elizabeth II, Cruachan Power Station was one of the first reversible pumped storage hydro systems in the world, and to celebrate its 60th anniversary, renewable energy company Drax have donated £60,000 via the Drax Foundation (no, it’s nothing to do with the villain from Moonraker) to support ‘two transformative projects in Argyll‘ close to the real-world location of the Aldhani heist from Andor season one.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cruachan Power Station, renewable energy company Drax has awarded £60,000 through its charitable entity the Drax Foundation, to support two transformative projects in Argyll, near to the location of its iconic pumped hydro storage station.
Oban Mountain Rescue has received £30,000 towards the replacement of its ageing command vehicle, a vital piece of equipment that enables the team to coordinate rescues across some of Scotland’s most remote and challenging terrain. Their current vehicle, now 16 years old, is no longer reliable. The new van, to be professionally converted to mountain rescue specifications, will include advanced communications equipment and serve as a mobile operations base capable of supporting complex missions involving helicopters, drones, and rescue dogs.
Expected to be operational by the end of 2025, the vehicle will dramatically enhance the team’s response capabilities, especially in the hills near Cruachan Reservoir—one of the team’s most frequent call-out areas. Entirely volunteer-led and dependent on public donations, Oban Mountain Rescue responds to dozens of emergencies each year, often in life-threatening conditions. Its 50+ volunteers, 30% of whom are women, make it one of the most gender-balanced and community-engaged rescue teams in the country.
Meanwhile, St Conan’s Kirk, one of Scotland’s most architecturally distinctive churches, has also been awarded £30,000 to support urgent conservation work and energy efficiency upgrades. Located on the banks of Loch Awe, near Cruachan, the Kirk is entirely volunteer-run and serves as a hub for education, heritage, and community events.
The funding will enable heating and insulation improvements in the Crypt and Bruce Chapel Basement, and the installation of a small solar PV system to provide renewable energy for the building. These upgrades will ensure the Kirk can continue to welcome visitors year-round while reducing its environmental impact.
The project will also see the Crypt transformed into a children’s exhibition and performance space, while the Bruce Chapel Basement will become a dedicated education room for local schools and community groups.
Cruachan Power Station was opened by Queen Elizabeth II back in 1965, as one of the first reversible pumped storage hydro systems in the world. Today the power station has a generation capacity of 440MW, helping to keep the lights on in homes across the UK.
