An investigation is ongoing after a reported explosion at the Cruachan hydro-electric power station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at around 5:20pm, prompting emergency services to be called to the scene. The power station, which is built into a mountain, was safely evacuated, with no reports of any injuries.
According to the owner, Drax, smoke was detected in the cavern, leading to the evacuation of the site. Police Scotland confirmed that they received a report of an explosion and that inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent four appliances to the scene and worked with staff on site before leaving the area by 8pm.
The A85 road was closed in both directions while emergency services dealt with the incident, but it was reopened just before 7pm on Tuesday. The Cruachan power station is a pumped storage facility built into Ben Cruachan, also known as the Hollow Mountain. The site has also been used as a filming location, with some scenes from the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor being filmed there in June 2021.
Drax has stated that an investigation into the cause of the incident is now underway. The company has confirmed that the site was safely evacuated and that there were no injuries reported. The incident is currently being treated as a report of an explosion, but the exact cause and circumstances are still being investigated. Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are working together to determine the cause of the incident and to ensure that the site is safe.
The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear at this time what caused the reported explosion. The Cruachan power station is a significant facility, providing hydro-electric power to the region. The incident has raised concerns, but thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries. The incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and emergency procedures in place at such facilities. The cause of the incident will be determined once the investigation is complete.