SSE Renewables has announced a joint venture partnership (JV) with Gilkes Energy to advance the Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro (PSH) project in Scotland.

The proposed scheme, one of the UK's largest PSH projects currently in development, will have an installed capacity of 1.8GW and provide 37 gigawatt hours of stored energy capacity.

The Loch Fearna PSH project is set to enhance SSE's existing Great Glen hydro cascade, with plans to develop tunnels and a new power station to connect the existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna.

Gilkes Energy will take the lead in developing the project under a development services agreement with SSE Renewables.

Gilkes managing director Carl Crompton stated: “We are delighted to launch, in partnership with SSE Renewables, the Fearna pumped storage project.

“Energy storage allows energy produced during times of excess generation (mainly wind) to be stored and released later when there is a deficit of renewable energy.

"Pumped storage hydro projects are in effect very large water batteries, and the technology behind these projects is very mature and robust. PSH projects can easily last for 100 plus years with no degradation in performance.”

The project has already secured a grid connection offer for 1795MW.

A scoping opinion request is currently under consideration by Scottish government ministers, and consultations with local communities and organisations are underway.

SSE Renewables will submit a planning consent application to the Scottish government.

The Fearna PSH project could become one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with commercial operations underway by the mid-2030s.

The UK government's consultation in early 2024 on a cap and floor investment framework for long-duration electricity storage, including pumped storage hydro, is expected to yield results by the end of the year.

The first application window for projects could open as early as 2025.

SSE Renewables hydro investment management head Ross Turbet stated: “The proposed Fearna project is a welcome addition to our development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects, which also includes our proposal to develop what could be one of Britain’s biggest pumped storage schemes in 40 years at Coire Glas and our intention to convert our existing Sloy power station into a pumped storage facility.”

In July 2024 SSE obtained planning approval from Wexford County Council for the construction of the Richfield solar farm in Ireland.