A 50:50 joint venture between SSE and Gilkes Energy could create the largest UK hydro storage facility, with the project now submitted under a Section 36 planning consent application to Scottish Government Ministers.

The proposed Fearna pumped storage hydro (PSH) project in Scotland’s Highlands, around 25km west of Invergarry, adjoins SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir in the Great Glen hydro scheme. Delivery of the project 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 20hrs of storage and which would make it the largest such scheme in the UK if delivered.

Under the terms of the joint venture agreement announced in July 2024, Gilkes Energy 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 hydropower projects in the Highlands to complement its existing fleet and deliver the large-scale, long-duration electricity storage (LDES).

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