Pumped Storage Hydro

Scottish pumped storage projects would boost capacity, jobs and revenue

Scottish pumped storage projects would boost capacity, jobs and revenue
(Cruachan pumped storage )

Six projects under development in Scotland are expected to more than double the UK’s pumped storage hydro capacity to 7.7 GW, create almost 15,000 jobs and generate up to £5.8 billion ($7.3 billion) for the economy by 2035, a report by Scottish Renewables and BiGGAR Economics has found.

“The Economic Impact of Pumped Storage Hydro” studied the economic impact of these six pumped storage hydro projects that, if constructed, would add 4.9 GW to the UK’s existing capacity of 2.8 GW. This would take the country over halfway toward achieving the 15 GW of capacity that is expected to be needed by 2050.

The six projects studied in the report are the 440 MW Cruachan Expansion and 1.5 GW Balliemeanoch, both in Argyll and Bute; 600 MW Corrievarkie in Perth and Kinross; 400 MW Glenmuckloch in Dumfries and Galloway, and 450 MW Red John and 1.5 GW Coire Glas in the Scottish Highlands.

Scottish Renewables is calling on the UK government to urgently deliver the measures it has promised to enable investment in large-scale, long-duration energy storage so developers can deliver the existing pipeline of “shovel-ready” pumped storage hydro projects. No pumped storage hydro facility has been commissioned since 1984.

To meet the UK government’s net-zero targets, substantial increases in clean energy are required. However, since many technologies are variable in their output, storage assets will be essential to support demands placed on the electricity network.

Many of the best locations for pumped storage hydro are in the north of Scotland, where there are plans for a significant increase in the generation of clean power with the construction of onshore and offshore wind farms. Pumped storage hydro will improve the electricity network by reducing the curtailment of renewable energy, reducing the need for grid reinforcement, increasing energy security and reducing consumer bills, Scottish Renewables said.

The report found that once these additional projects are in development, pumped storage hydro will generate up to £14.8 billion ($18.7 billion) for the UK economy and create up to 9,400 jobs annually.

“From this report we know that pumped hydro storage is uniquely placed to deliver socio-economic benefits to communities across the UK and, as an established and proven technology, it will play a crucial role in achieving the UK Government’s net-zero ambitions and delivering energy security for consumers,” said Andrew MacNish Porter, policy manager for economics and markets at Scottish Renewables. “However, an investment framework is needed to secure the massive capital investment required for these projects. We therefore urgently need the UK Government to clarify its support for pumped storage hydro and deliver the required policy support to unlock the huge value these projects promise to deliver.”

The report was jointly funded by Buccleuch, Drax, Foresight Group, Intelligent Land Investments Group and SSE Renewables.