Pumped storage | In the pipeline
Plans are underway to ensure the UK soon adds to its pumped storage portfolio, which hasn’t seen the development of a new project for over 40 years
ACCORDING TO THE BRITISH Hydropower Association (BHA), although the UK hasn’t witnessed new pumped storage capacity for over 40 years, there are now 11 schemes at various stages of development across Scotland and Wales, with a combined 10GW and 200GWh of storage capacity. To help focus industry discussion on the future
potential for this technology, in February the BHA met with developers, contractors and leaders in Scottish education and infrastructure, to highlight the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Mike Seaton from SSE Renewables gave an update
Above: Robertson Geo was contracted by Strabag UK Ltd to collect a comprehensive set of geotechnical statistics for the Coire Glas project
on a project his company has been working on – the 1.4GW and 30GWh, £2 billion Coire Glas scheme. Planning consent was given in 2020 and a 1km exploratory tunnel has already been dug. With the final investment decision expected in 2026, the scheme could be generating power by 2033. Michael Matheson, a Member of the Scottish Parliament from the Falkirk West constituency, hosted this meeting about the future of Sottish hydropower. Admitting that the road ahead was going to be a long one to travel, he said: “Working alongside the British Hydropower Association, it is my ambition that frank and open engagement can take place between industry, developers, and communities to ensure that Scotland maximises it’s PSH potential while delivering real improvements for communities and driving towards a sustainable economy and energy mix.”
Scottish experience Travelling down this same road, Glen Earrach Energy
Below: Coire Glas structure
(GEE) is awaiting approval for its 2GW Fearna pumped storage hydropower project near Loch Ness. If given, it would be one of the UK’s largest energy storage
projects, delivering £20 million annually to Highland communities over a 125-year lifespan. GEE says its proposal would account for nearly
three-quarters of the planned pumped storage capacity for Loch Ness (34GWh of 46GWh) and two-thirds of the area’s generating capacity – using only half the water. The site’s natural topography and 500m elevation drop are key to its efficiency and the company claims the project could reduce the UK grid’s carbon footprint by 10%, delivering £2.9 billion in Net System Benefits over its first 20 years. This 50:50 development joint venture project between SSE and Gilkes Energy is located at the western end of Glengarry and adjoins SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir in the Great Glen hydro scheme. Fearna PSH has a proposed installed capacity of 1.8GW with a capacity of up to 36GWh, providing 20 hours of storage. Plans for the project envisage the development of tunnels and a new power station connecting SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement announced in July 2024, Gilkes Energy will lead the project’s development under a developer services agreement with SSE Renewables. GEE held four rounds of community consultations
before entering the formal pre-application phase, and says it will continue to engage with local stakeholders during the planning process. Community feedback led to several changes to the project design, including reduced visual impact, less transport on the A82 road, and a decrease in above-ground infrastructure. Roderick Macleod, Director of Glen Earrach Energy, said the project “is poised to become one of the UK’s
22 | July 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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