Developer ILI Group proposes 1.5GW/45GWh pumped hydro project in Scotland

By Alice Grundy
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
Cruachan Dam, Scotland, site of an existing 440MW pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) facility. Image: Drax.

Clean energy developer ILI Group has begun the initial planning phase for a new pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) project in Scotland.

The Balliemeanoch project at Loch Awe, Dalmally in Argyll and Bute will be able to supply 1.5GW of power for up to 30 hours. It is the third and largest of ILI’s pumped storage hydro projects, with the other two being Red John at Loch Ness and Corrievarkie at Loch Ericht.

The Balliemeanoch project will create a new ‘head pond’ in the hills above Loch Awe capable of holding 58 million cubic metres of water when full.

Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, said that long-duration energy storage, particularly storage over four hours, is “crucial” to reaching net zero, with announcements such as the new seabed leases for offshore wind making energy storage projects such as Balliemeanoch becoming “increasingly important”. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

To read the full version of this story visit Solar Power Portal.

Read Next

Premium
September 18, 2025
ESN Premium speaks to Matt Harper, president of flow battery company Invinity Energy Systems, about pursuing a competitive advantage in an emerging space.
September 18, 2025
Hydrostor has secured US$55 million in funding from Export Development Canada (EDC) to advance development activities for its 200MW/1,600MWh Silver City Energy Storage Centre project in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.
September 16, 2025
Ignitis Group and Olana Energy have progressed BESS projects in Lithuania closer to construction, with the order of equipment and final investment decision (FID) taken, respectively.
September 10, 2025
Tech giant Google has announced a partnership with utility SRP to help accelerate the commercialisation of non-lithium long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology.
September 10, 2025
Fidra Energy has secured £1 billion for the largest BESS in the UK, while EDF and Elements Green have agreed a toll for a 720MWh system.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter