The Cruachan Dam (also known as Ben Cruachan Dam, Cruachan Power Station or Ben Cruachan Power Station) is a pumped-storage hydroelectric dam and power station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
The power station was built in the early 1960s, and has been operational since 1966. It was originally operated by the Hydro-electric Board, but has been owned by Scottish Power since the privatisation of Britain's electricity industry in 1990.
Water is pumped from Loch Awe to the upper reservoir, 360 m above, during periods of low energy use (such as at night). A 316 m-long dam forms this reservoir. Additionally the upper reservoir receives rainwater; tunnels have been built through Ben Cruachan to catch rain coming from all sides of the mountain. Around 10 % of the energy from the station is generated from rainwater; the rest is from the water pumped up from Loch Awe.
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