Major hydro power plant expansion put on hold

The operator of an underground power station at Scotland's "Hollow Mountain" has put on hold its plans for a major expansion of the site.

Renewables developer Drax had proposed building a new hydro-electric facility next to its existing complex inside Ben Cruachan, near Dalmally in Argyll.

But it said the costs of the project had risen and it would not be bidding for UK government support at this time.

The company said the expansion could potentially go-ahead in the future, "subject to an appropriate balance of risk and return".