Fearna Storage project
{{Short description|Proposed pumped storage scheme in Scotland}}
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File:View southwest from Spidean Mialach - geograph.org.uk - 720387.jpg with Loch Fearna, at a much higher elevation in the foreground. The high rock barrier containing Loch Fearna will be dammed to form the upper reservoir]]
The Fearna Storage project is a proposed pumped storage hydroelectricity (PSH) scheme in the Scottish Highlands.{{cite web |title=The Project |url=https://fearnastorage.co.uk/the-project/ |access-date=28 August 2024}}{{cite web |author1=Andy Colthorpe |title=SSE Renewables plans 18GW/37GWh pumped hydro energy storage project in Scotland, UK |url=https://www.energy-storage.news/sse-renewables-plans-18gw-37gwh-pumped-hydro-energy-storage-project-in-scotland-uk/ |publisher=Energy Storage News |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=24 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=SSE and Gilkes Energy announce joint plans to progress Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro project |url=https://www.sserenewables.com/news-and-views/2024/07/sse-and-gilkes-energy-announce-joint-plans-to-progress-loch-fearna-pumped-storage-hydro-project/ |website=News and Views |publisher=SSE Renewables |access-date=28 August 2024}}{{cite web |author1=Iain Ramage |title=Plans for major hydro-electric project for two Highland lochs revealed |url=https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/plans-for-major-hydro-electric-project-for-two-highland-lochs-revealed |publisher=STV News |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=3 April 2024}} The project is a collaboration between SSE and Gilkes Energy.{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Kit Million |date=2025-03-20 |title=SSE and Gilkes Energy submit plans for pumped hydro storage project |url=https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/sse-and-gilkes-energy-submit-plans-for-pumped-hydro-storage-project/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Solar Power Portal |language=en-US}}
If built, the project will be one of the largest pumped-hydro schemes in Scotland, storing 37GWh of energy, equating to 20 hours of generation at the maximum capacity of 1.8GW.
Geography
The project is an extension to the Glen Garry hydroelectric scheme, which includes the reservoir Loch Quoich, situated west of Loch Garry approximately 40 km northwest of Fort William.
Loch Fearna is a small lake roughly 1 km from Loch Quoich.{{Cite web |last=Menteth |first=Thames |date=2024-07-24 |title=Plans for Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro project progress |url=https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/plans-for-loch-fearna-hydro-storage-progress-24-07-2024/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Ground Engineering |language=en}} Water from Loch Quoich will be pumped up to Loch Fearna over an average hydraulic head of 376m, with relatively short tunnels needed to connect the two. The water to be displaced would use 11% of the storage capacity of Loch Quoich.{{Cite web |last=Lynas |first=Matthew |date=2025-03-20 |title=UK developers seek consent for 36 GWh Fearna Pumped Hydro project |url=https://www.ess-news.com/2025/03/20/uk-developers-seek-consent-for-36-gwh-fearna-pumped-hydro-project/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Energy Storage |language=en-US}}
Current status
A planning application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 was submitted in March 2025. If approved, it is expected that construction and commissioning will take seven years.{{cite web |title=EIA non-technical summary |url=https://fearnastorage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fearna-PSH_EIAR-Non-Technical-Summary.pdf |website=Fearna Storage |publisher=Gilkes Energy |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=February 2025}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://fearnastorage.co.uk/ Project website]
Category:Pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in the United Kingdom
Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Scotland
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