In a significant step towards bolstering the UK’s renewable energy capacity, Drax has received official planning permission to proceed with the construction of its 600MW Cruachan 2 hydroelectric plant in Scotland. The proposed pumped storage scheme is set to be an extension of the company’s existing 440MW hydro facility, situated within the scenic Ben Cruachan mountain in Argyll and Bute.
The Cruachan 2 project is expected to mark the first newly constructed plant of its kind in the UK in over four decades, signaling a major advancement in renewable energy infrastructure. With operations potentially commencing by 2030, the facility will employ reversible turbines to efficiently pump water from Loch Awe to an elevated reservoir on the mountainside. This stored water will then be released strategically, generating electricity during peak demand periods on the national grid.
Scottish Ministers, who were responsible for granting the planning permission, have carefully assessed the potential impacts associated with the development. They have deemed these impacts as “acceptable” considering the substantial benefits the project will bring in terms of net economic gains and the essential supporting infrastructure required to facilitate the continued expansion of renewable energy developments in the region.
Having submitted a Section 36 planning application for the Cruachan 2 site in May 2022, Drax aims to initiate construction as early as 2024, indicating their commitment to timely implementation. The project’s successful realization will undoubtedly contribute significantly to Scotland’s renewable energy goals and reinforce the nation’s position as a pioneer in sustainable energy solutions.
