Pumped Storage Hydro

Drax names Voith Hydro to complete study for ‘Hollow Mountain’ pumped storage components

Drax names Voith Hydro to complete study for ‘Hollow Mountain’ pumped storage components
(Cruachan pumped storage )

Drax has appointed Voith Hydro to complete a front-end engineering and design study for the mechanical and electrical components of the 600 MW “Hollow Mountain” pumped storage plant, the UK’s first pumped storage hydro scheme in 40 years.

The expansion, known as Cruachan 2, will offer long-term and large-scale energy storage, thereby solving intermittency issues for the UK’s electricity system. Cruachan 2 will be built within a new, hollowed-out cavern to the east of Drax’s existing pumped storage hydro station near Oban in Scotland. The project, expected to be operational in 2030, will bring an additional 600 MW of power.

Exploratory ground works are under way at the site, with seismic surveys being undertaken to provide crucial geological data about the rock in which the new plant would be housed. Hydro Review reported on this work last month.

Voith Hydro’s work will produce a series of comprehensive reports, data and models that will provide a well-defined project scope, design, cost estimate, and schedule. This will enable informed decision-making and reducing uncertainties before proceeding to the detailed engineering, procurement, and construction phases, Drax said.

Drax’s proposals received development consent from the Scottish Government last year, but the project’s continued progression requires an updated policy and market support mechanism from the UK Government. Despite their critical role in decarbonization, no new pumped storage hydro plants have been constructed in the UK since 1984 due to the lack of a suitable framework. Earlier this year, the UK Government launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a new framework, which could unlock billions of pounds worth of private investment in the technology.

“A new generation of pumped storage hydro plants will strengthen the UK’s energy security by enabling more homegrown renewable electricity to come online to power homes and businesses across the country. Drax’s plan to build a new plant at Cruachan will support hundreds of jobs and provide a real boost to the Scottish economy,” said Steve Marshall, Drax’s development manager. “With the project granted development consent from the Scottish Government, we hope the next UK Government will continue policy development in this area at pace to enable a new generation of pumped storage plants to come online as possible.”

Increasing the country’s pumped storage hydro capacity is critical to enabling more renewable power to come online, strengthening the country’s energy security while helping the UK to decarbonize.

In addition to its plans to build a new power station, Drax is completing an £80 million (US$102.7 million) upgrade to the existing plant. The project will see the generating capacity of two of the plant’s four units increased by a combined 40 MW to raise the facility’s total generating capacity to 480 MW.