SSE Renewables has unveiled plans to progress a 1.8 GW pumped hydro storage (PHES) project in Loch Fearna, Scotland, with a consortium led by Gilkes Energy.
The Fearna PHES project aims to develop tunnels and a new power station to connect SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich to a higher reservoir at Loch Fearna.
If the project proceeds, it could produce around 37 GWh of stored energy capacity, providing additional stability and flexibility to the UK electricity grid. It would export energy for 20 hours with a capacity of 1.8 GW. An offer for a grid connection totaling 1,795 GW has already been secured.
SSE confirmed that the project could become commercially operational in the mid-2030s, subject to a final investment decision.
Gilkes Energy said the Fearna PHES project will complement existing conventional hydropower projects in the area and “represents the next chapter in Scotland’s rich hydropower heritage”.
Under the terms of the joint venture, Gilkes Energy will lead the development of the project under a development services agreement with SSE Renewables, drawing on the company’s experience in developing PHES projects in Scotland.
Ross Turbet, head of hydropower investment management at SSE Renewables, stressed that PHES projects “will be critical to energy security and balancing the increasingly renewables-led energy system”.
“The proposed Fearna project is a welcome addition to our development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects, which also includes our proposal to develop one of Britain’s largest pumped storage systems at Coire Glas in 40 years and our intention to expand our existing Sloy Power Station converted into a PHES facility” Turbet added.
This article first appeared in our sister publication Current±.
