Sheffield’s Fulcrum completes £4m gas pipeline project for Speyside Distilleries in the Scottish Highlands

Sheffield-based Fulcrum, the independent utility infrastructure provider operating across the whole of the Britain, has now completed £4m gas pipeline project, which is delivering a seasonal gas supply in the Scottish Highlands to four major distilleries.

The contract to install a 13 km pipeline to link Scotland’s main gas network to the Tamdhu, Dalmunach, Cardhu and Knockando distilleries in Speyside has been completed a month ahead of schedule.

Awarded by a partnership of three whisky companies that have shared the cost of the pipeline, Chivas Brothers, Diageo and Ian MacLeod Distillers, the connection to the gas network will also help reduce the distilleries’ carbon footprints by cutting their reliance on fuel oil and ending the need for its delivery by road tankers during the summer months.

This new infrastructure will also benefit the local community with residential properties now able to access a gas supply for the first time. As a result Fulcrum has received numerous enquiries from residents looking to establish a domestic gas connection from the new pipeline.

This is the second significant utility infrastructure project in Speyside delivered by Fulcrum.

In 2014, the company completed a 16-mile pipeline connecting four other distilleries. The delivery of both these Speyside connections have been supported by the work of a government-initiated gas taskforce.

Martin Donnachie, chief executive of Fulcrum, said: “The early completion of this project is testament to the tenacity and technical expertise of our engineers. This is one of the most technically-complex gas infrastructure projects delivered in the UK for some time, which makes it very significant to the expansion of the country’s gas network. It proves our ability to overcome a variety of challenges to support the growth of the network in rural or urban environments.”

Keith Miller, Diageo Distilling and Maturation director, added: “We are delighted to have been able to partner with our Scotch Whisky industry colleagues to invest in this gas pipeline. Scotch Whisky distilling is a crucial sector for the Speyside economy and this is a significant investment in the infrastructure which underpins our business and an investment in the sustainability of our industry.”

Mike Younger, finance director for Ian MacLeod Distillers, also commented: “We are delighted that seasonal gas will be available from the original target date of 1 April 2016, and hope that a year round supply can be made available in the very near future. Thank you to all of the many parties involved for their friendly co-operation which brought this project to a successful conclusion”

Gordon Buist, production director for Chivas Brothers, concluded: “This is the second gas pipeline project delivered by Fulcrum, which Chivas Brothers has been part of and we look forward to the benefits it will bring our operations.”

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