Proposed Highland pumped hydro storage project moves forward as SSE and Gilkes Energy submit plans to Scottish Government
A planning application has been submitted for a pumped hydro storage scheme in the Highlands which would be one of the largest of its type in the UK.
SSE and Gilkes Energy have submitted a Section 36 planning consent application to Scottish Government Ministers for the proposed joint venture, Fearna pumped storage hydro (PSH) project.
The proposed project - which was first unveiled a year ago - would be located at the western end of Glengarry, about 25km west of Invergarry, and would use Loch Fearna as the upper reservoir and Loch Quoich as the lower reservoir.
It comes as other hydro schemes are also being planned in the Highlands - including Loch Ness - in the drive for green energy.
• Proposed hydro scheme in the Highlands would be among largest in UK
• Past landslide sparks questions in the Highlands over plan for Loch Fearna pumped hydro storage dams
• Bid to build two dams to hold 40 million cubic litres of water
The project’s location adjoins SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir in the Great Glen hydro scheme.
Delivery of the venture would be subject to securing planning consent and a final investment decision, including an investible route-to-market.
Fearna PSH has a proposed installed capacity of 1.8GW with a stored capacity of up to 36GWh, providing 20 hours of storage and which would make it the largest such scheme in the UK if delivered.
If given the go-ahead, it could support about 500 jobs at peak during its construction which is expected to take seven years.
The plans envisage the development of tunnels and a new power station connecting SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna.
Under the terms of the joint venture agreement announced in July 2024, Gilkes Energy - which has its headquarters in Kendal - will lead the project’s development under a developer services agreement with SSE Renewables.
SSE Renewables already operates the largest fleet of hydro-electric power and pumped storage hydro assets in Scotland.
It is now progressing development plans for new pumped storage hydro power projects in the Highlands to complement its existing fleet and deliver the large-scale, long-duration electricity storage (LDES) needed as part of Britain’s future energy mix.
Fraser Allison, project director of the Fearna PSH project, said: “We are pleased to have submitted a Section 365 planning consent application to Scottish Ministers for Fearna.
“This exciting long duration electricity storage project could be the largest in the UK for both installed capacity and stored energy.
“We are looking forward to continued engagement with stakeholders, supply chain partners and the local community as the planning process moves forward.”
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