THREE new Scottish hydro-power projects have moved closer to development after receiving provisional support from the UK’s energy regulator.
Ofgem gave the provisional green light for projects in the Highlands on Friday, moving them on to a “minded-to-decision” list.
They would be the first new hydro-powered projects in Britain in more than 40 years.
The regulator also moved four Scottish battery storage projects onto the list.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Forty years after the country’s last pumped storage facility, this government is getting Britain building again.
“The lesson from the conflict in Iran is clear: Britain cannot afford to remain at the mercy of volatile fossil fuel markets and leave families exposed to the next price shock.
“That is why we are going further and faster in delivering the clean power mission by rolling out a new generation of pumped hydro storage and state-of-the-art batteries – making more of the clean, homegrown power we already produce, cutting waste, lowering bills and strengthening our energy security.”
The Loch Kemp Storage hydro-powered project, which would be capable of generating up to 660MW of energy, is one of those placed on the “minded-to-decision list”.
Statera Energy said the project could supply more than one million homes with instantaneous clean electricity for up to 15 hours.
Tom Vernon, chief executive at Statera Energy, said: “Ofgem’s cap and floor process is unlocking the long-duration energy storage the UK needs to deliver energy security and independence, while lowering costs.
“Today’s minded-to decision is a strong vote of confidence in the role Statera’s projects can play in accelerating UK flexibility. Together, these projects have the potential to significantly reduce curtailment, lower system costs and support jobs and skills across the UK.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Ofgem and other stakeholders as the process moves towards final agreements.”
The Coire Glas project, also now on Ofgem’s minded-to-decision list, would pump water from the lower Loch Lochy to an upper storage reservoir with a capacity of up to 40 billion litres, before then releasing that water to generate power when electricity demand is higher or renewable generation output is lower.
The Earba Storage project has also been earmarked for support by Ofgem.
The proposal is to use Loch Leamhain in the Highlands as the upper reservoir and Loch Earba as the lower reservoir.
It is proposed to connect the two water bodies with a 3km-long tunnel and construct a powerhouse on the shore of Loch Earba.
Earba Storage is the largest pumped storage hydro scheme ever consented in the UK, both in terms of installed capacity (1800MW) and energy stored.
Ofgem on Friday gave the provisional green light for 16 energy storage projects across Britain.
The “minded-to-decision” list gives developers and investors greater clarity on the projects expected to receive support.
Akshay Kaul, director-general for infrastructure at Ofgem, said: “Ofgem is creating the right infrastructure for renewable energy to thrive and improve our energy security and reduce reliance on global gas markets.
“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of technologies coming forward. This takes us a step closer towards the long-duration energy storage we need in a clean power system to maintain secure supply during periods of cold, hot, still or cloudy weather when solar or wind power output may be low.”
Ofgem is now seeking views from industry participants, consumer groups and other stakeholders on the minded‑to-decision list.
Feedback will inform the regulator’s final determination on which projects will be selected to receive cap and floor support.
