Glen Earrach Energy

57°16′05″N 4°33′58″W / 57.268°N 4.566°W / 57.268; -4.566

Topograhic map of Loch nam Breac Dearga (left), in the hills above Loch Ness, opposite the village of Foyers (right)

Glen Earrach Energy is a proposed pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) scheme in the Scottish Highlands. If built, the project will be one of the largest pumped-hydro scheme in Scotland, storing 30GWh of energy with a maximum generating capacity of 2.0GW.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Current Status

Public consultations took place in October and November 2024.[7]

The developers plan to soon publish a detailed environmental impact assessment.[1] They aim to start construction in 2026, and hope to deliver first power to the national grid in 2030.[2]

Proposals

Loch nam Breac Dearga in 2021

The scheme will use Loch Ness as the lower reservoir, and Loch nam Breac Dearga as the upper.[1]

Economics

The scheme will cost in the order of £3 billion.[1]

The economics are favourable because the large height difference between the upper reservoir, at nearly 500m above sea level, and Loch Ness,[1] which is just 16m above sea level, and only 3km distant.

Criticism

The Ness District Salmon Fishery Board has reservations about the impact on water levels in Loch Ness. The Guardian newspaper reports that critics fear the scheme "could significantly affect the [Loch Ness's] delicate ecology, its migrating salmon and trout, its leisure cruising firms and its archaeological sites, including a prehistoric crannog, or human-made island."[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Severin Carrell (12 March 2025). "Balance of power: Loch Ness hydro storage schemes fuel local anxiety". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Pumped Storage Hydro". PSH Brochure. British Hydropower Association. November 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Plans submitted for 2GW Loch Ness pumped storage hydro scheme". New Civil Engineer. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025. Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) has formally applied to develop a 2GW pumped storage hydro facility near Loch Ness, which could become one of the UK's largest energy storage projects to date.
  4. ^ "Hydro pump project announces '£20m a year' Highland community fund". National Scot. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025. THE developers of one of the UK's largest hydro pump projects have announced that they will commit 5% of their revenue from their proposed scheme to support Highland communities.
  5. ^ "Fifth hydro project proposed at Loch Ness". BBC News (Highlands and Islands). BBC. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025. GEE said its facility would be capable of delivering up to 30 gigawatt-hours of energy - enough to power more than a million homes.
  6. ^ "Plan for 'UK's biggest and most efficient' energy powerhouse". The Herald. 6 Feb 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Glen Earrach Pumped Storage Hydro facility consultation". Glen Earrach Energy. 9 Dec 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
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