Planning Application Submitted for the 1.8 GW Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) Project
We are pleased to announce that the Planning Application for the Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) Project has been officially submitted to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government.
This Section 36 Planning Application encompasses extensive surveys, analysis, engineering design, and consultation, all summarized in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
The application has been informed by engagement with key statutory consultees, including NatureScot and SEPA, as well as feedback gathered from the general public and local communities during a series of face-to-face consultation events.
Commenting on the project, Carl Crompton Managing Director of Gilkes Energy said:
“We are delighted to have submitted the Planning Application for the Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro project. With an installed capacity of 1,800 MW and a storage capacity of 36,000 MWh, Fearna will provide 20 hours of storage and become one of the largest projects of its kind in the UK.
Energy storage enables excess renewable generation, particularly from wind, to be stored and released later during periods of low renewable generation. This helps displace expensive, carbon-intensive gas generation, accelerating the transition to a clean, carbon-free economy.
The 20 hours of storage offered by the Fearna project provides substantial system and consumer benefits. It reduces wind curtailment costs, which are largely passed on to consumers, while also reducing the need for costly gas generation.
Pumped Storage Hydro acts as a large-scale battery, relying on well-established and cost-competitive technology. These projects can operate for over 100 years without performance degradation, making them a reliable and long-term solution.
We are also working closely with the UK Government and Ofgem on the development of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Cap & Floor mechanism, set for delivery in 2025. This framework acknowledges the critical value of PSH while addressing the challenges of financing these capital-intensive and long-lead-time projects. The Cap & Floor model has already proven successful in attracting private investment for interconnector projects, and we expect it will similarly unlock financing for PSH projects like Fearna in 2025.
By investing in PSH capacity, we are facilitating the integration of more renewable energy into the UK system and making a significant contribution toward achieving Net Zero.
We look forward to bringing this ambitious and transformative project to fruition”.
The Fearna PSH project:
The Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro project is designed with an installed capacity of 1,800 MW and 36,000 MWh of stored energy, capable of providing 20 hours of storage. This makes it one of the largest projects of its kind in the UK, both in terms of capacity and energy stored.
The project is located at the western end of Glengarry, approximately 25 km from Invergarry. Its location offers several inherent advantages, including favourable geology and topography, enabling the use of short tunnels and a high vertical drop between the upper and lower reservoirs. Additionally, the project leverages existing hydro infrastructure, significantly enhancing its economic viability compared to other PSH projects and storage technologies currently in development.
The Fearna PSH project is being developed as a 50:50 joint venture with SSE Renewables, with Gilkes Energy leading the development phase. The project plans include the construction of a new power station and tunnels to connect SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with a proposed upper reservoir at Loch Fearna.
In late 2024, the UK Government confirmed its commitment to implementing a Cap and Floor investment framework for long-duration electricity storage (LDES), including pumped storage hydro. The first application window for the LDES Cap & Floor mechanism is expected in 2025, and Fearna’s scale and competitive economics position it as a leading candidate for this program.
For more information and regular updates, including access to the Planning Documents, please visit the dedicated project website at www.fearnastorage.co.uk.
