SSE and Gilkes Energy have jointly submitted a Section 36 planning consent application to the Scottish Government for their proposed Fearna pumped storage hydro (PSH) project, located in Scotland’s Highlands. The project, a 50:50 development joint venture, is situated at the western end of Glengarry, approximately 25 kilometers west of Invergarry. It adjoins SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir, part of the Great Glen hydro scheme.
The Fearna PSH project, if approved, will have an installed capacity of 1.8GW and a stored capacity of up to 36GWh, providing up to 20 hours of energy storage. If delivered, it will be the largest PSH scheme in the UK. The project is expected to create around 500 jobs during its seven-year construction period, contributing to local employment and economic growth in the Scottish Highlands.
The project involves developing tunnels and a new power station to connect SSE Renewables’ Loch Quoich reservoir with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna. According to the joint venture agreement, Gilkes Energy will lead the project’s development, with SSE Renewables providing support through a developer services agreement.
Fraser Allison, Project Director for the Fearna PSH project, said: “We are pleased to have submitted a Section 36 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.”
SSE Renewables, which operates the largest fleet of hydro-electric power and pumped storage hydro assets in Scotland, is progressing with its development plans for additional PSH projects in the Highlands, aiming to support Britain’s future energy needs with large-scale, long-duration electricity storage solutions.
