Extreme E to assist in River Nith upkeep and improving salmon population
The green racing series wants to leave a lasting impression after the Scottish Hydro X Prix in May.
Last updated 26th Apr 2023
The Extreme E racing series has pledged to support the restoration of the River Nith as part of its legacy programme ahead of the inaugural Scottish Hydro X Prix.
Organisers of the electric-powered championship are staging a race at the former Glenmuckloch coal mine site in Dumfries and Galloway on the 13th-14th May.
The plan to assist in the upkeep of the river will aim to protect the Atlantic salmon population in the area, as well as highlighting the issues facing the species due to increasing water temperature and changing rainfall patterns.
Environmental issues highlighted by "attention-grabbing" racing
Restoration of the river and surrounding areas includes re-meandering rivers, introducing wooden structures on the riverbed to create spawning sites for salmon, using green energy to stabilise riverbanks, plant 200 hectares of woodlands, and install 100 leaky dams to help the flow of the river.
Extreme E is partnering with the Nith Catchment Fishery Trust (NCFT) for this project.
Jim Henderson, the fishery director for the NCFT said: “It's great to work with Extreme E on delivery this legacy programme.
"The series has that perfect combination of motor racing, which grabs everyone’s attention, but then it focuses on the environmental efforts of the estate here and long term plans.
“The Hydro X Prix will have a global audience and highlight the issue of Atlantic salmon in crisis – at the River Nith we are doing something about it, and building on that has got to be a goal that’s worth achieving.”
Climate change is on our doorstep
Another aspect of the legacy programme will see Glenmuckloch coal mine near Kirkconnal become home to a hydro-powerplant and wind farm once the racing is over.
Once constructed, the plant will hold up to 1,600 MWh of stored energy which will be used during times of peak demand.
Extreme E's Head of Impact and Communications, Julia Wall-Clarke, said: “This is our first time coming to Scotland, which is super exciting as its on our back doorstep.
"This allows us to talk about how issues relating to climate change are not just global – they are right here.
“For the Hydro X Prix we are talking about how water plays a huge role in future renewables and heathy conservation. It was pertinent to us to find projects that impactfully tie in."
She added: "The work here at the River Nith and the initiative to transform the former opencast coal mine where we are racing into a Hydro plant were both a natural fit.”
Racing takes place on 13th-14th May in what will be the third and fourth rounds of the 2023 Extreme E Championship.