Kinlochleven is a small village, rich in industrial history, located in the west of Scotland approximately 20 miles from Fort William. In the early 20th century an aluminium plant was opened which provided jobs for the local community. A hydro scheme was developed to power the plant and homes were built for the workers and their families.
Kinlochleven was named the “Electric Village” when it was the first village to have electricity in all homes. In 2002 the aluminium plant closed resulting in job losses to the town. The hydro scheme now exports its power onto the grid whilst the residents of the village are subjected to high energy costs.
Since the closure of the aluminium plant, the main income for the town has been tourism. Kinlochleven is located on the West Highland Way and the local economy benefits from seasonal influxes of tourists.
To examine how Kinlochleven could become the “All-Electric Village”, reducing its consumption of fossil fuels