Joint venture announced to co-develop 1.8 GW pumped storage hydro project in Scotland

SSE Renewables has announced plans for a new pumped storage hydropower scheme at Loch Fearna in Scotland’s Great Glen, in a 50:50 development joint venture with a consortium led by UK-based hydropower project development specialist Gilkes Energy.

It is envisaged the proposed development would be up to 1.8 GW in generating capacity and capable of producing around 37 GWh of stored energy capacity and is situated at the western end of Glengarry, about 25 km west of Invergarry, and is adjacent to SSE Renewables' existing Loch Quoich reservoir, part of the Great Glen hydro scheme. The Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project plans to construct tunnels and a new power station linking SSE Renewables' Loch Quoich reservoir with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna. Gilkes Energy will oversee the project’s development under a services agreement with SSE Renewables.

A request for a scoping opinion for the project is currently before Scottish Government ministers and consultation has already commenced with consulting local communities and organisations. It is expected a planning consent application will be submitted to Scottish Government ministers in due course, and if consented for development, Fearna could be one of the largest pumped storage hydro projects in the UK. The project could reach commercial operations in the mid-2030s, subject to reaching a final investment decision.