ILI Group to develop 1.5 GW pumped storage hydro project in Scotland

ILI Group has started the initial planning phase for its 1.5 GW Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro (PSH) project at Loch Awe, Dalmally in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

The project has the capacity to power 4.5 million homes and is expected to offset over 200 million tonnes of CO2 emission over its lifetime. The upper reservoir of the project situated in the hills above Loch Awe has the capacity to hold 58 million cubic metres of water.

This is ILI’s third PSH project. Its 450 MW Red John project at Loch Ness was awarded planning consent from Scottish Ministers in June 2021, and the company plans to submit a planning application for the 600 MW Corrievarkie project at Loch Ericht in August 2022.

ILI Group chief executive Mark Wilson said: "The broader adoption of long-duration energy storage projects is crucial to the UK's net zero ambitions. Without projects such as Balliemeanoch, the renewable generation capacity in the country will soon hit a 'Green Glass Ceiling' whereby adding more 'variable' renewable generation actually threatens grid stability and security of supply in our grid network".