Gilkes Energy has awarded the planning state for its Earba Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) schedule.
The Earba PSH schedule is the largest project of its kind in the UK, with an installed capacity of 1.8 GW and a storage capacity of 40 GWH, which means that it can offer 22 hours of storage on full power. The planning application for the project was submitted to the Scottish government at the beginning of March 2024.
The project will be located in Loch Earba in the Scottish Central Highlands. Gilkes Energy states that this location was chosen because the area has an ideal combination of geology and topography, the business states of which will make it one of the most economically viable PSH projects in the UK.
Although a date before the start of construction has not yet been announced, construction is expected to take approximately six to seven years. During this time, around 500 jobs are made on site. David Tomb, project director for Earba PSH, expressed his excitement for the chance to offer new opportunities to the Hooglandecomie, adding that the project is “a milestone for the transition from the UK to a low -carbon future.”
Carl Crompton, director of Gilkes Energy, celebrated the planning victory, but noted that the project still has a long way to go before it is fully operational. He stated: “Now the real work begins when we transform the permission project into a fully designed, offered and costed company. Our next steps include securing the substantial capital needed to bring this exciting project to life and to make it completely financially.”
Gilkes Energy pushes forward with PSH
The news is called on the heels of another important development for the PSH ambitions of Gilkes Energy. At the end of last month, Gilkes Energy and SSE -renewable energy sources submitted an application for the building permit for Scottish ministers for the Fearna PSH project, a proposal of 1.8 GW, 36GWH about 25 km from Ingarry in the Scottish Highlands. This project is put forward as a 50:50 Joint Venture project between SSE and Gilkes Energy, with Gilkes Energy that leads the development under a Developer Services Agreement with SSE Renewables.
When it was Fearna project Announced for the first time in July 2024It was revealed that a grid connection of a total of 1,795 GW was already protected for the proposed project. From publication, no date for the expected planning decision on Fearna or the potential start date of the construction, if approved, has been announced.
