SSE Renewables plans 18GW/37GWh pumped hydro energy storage project in Scotland, UK

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

SSE Renewables has revealed plans to progress a 1.8GW pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) project at Loch Fearna, Scotland, UK, with a consortium led by Gilkes Energy.

The Fearna PHES project envisages developing tunnels and a new power station to connect SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna.

SSE Renewables, which is the renewable energy development arm of Scotland-headquartered multinational energy company SSE, announced its plans earlier this week (22 July).

If pursued, the project could produce around 37GWh of stored energy capacity, thus providing additional stability and flexibility to the GB grid. It would export energy for 20 hours at 1.8GW. A grid connection offer totalling 1.795GW has already been secured.

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

SSE confirmed the project could reach commercial operations in the mid-2030s, subject to reaching a final investment decision.

Gilkes Energy said the Fearna PHES project will complement the existing conventional hydro 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 project’s development under a development services agreement with SSE Renewables, leveraging the company’s experience in developing PHES projects in Scotland.

“The proposed Fearna project is a welcome addition to our development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects, which also includes our proposal to develop what could be one of Britain’s biggest pumped storage schemes in 40-years at Coire Glas and our intention to convert our existing Sloy Power Station into a PHES facility,” Ross Turbet, head of investment management for hydro at SSE Renewables, said.

To read the full version of this story, visit Current.

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 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.
September 9, 2025
“The industry has to continue to be aggressive,” says Luigi Resta, president of US renewable energy and energy storage developer rPlus Energies, on the US remaining a competitive market for energy storage.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter