The Anonymous Widower

Fifth Hydro Project Proposed At Loch Ness

The title of this post. is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading.

The local community is to be asked for its views next week on plans for a new hydro-electric scheme at Loch Ness.

These three paragraphs introduce the new scheme.

Glen Earrach Energy’s, external (GEE) pumped storage hydro project is the fifth hydro scheme proposed for the Loch Ness area.

The company said its project on Balmacaan Estate would create clean energy while protecting the environment, and create 600 on-site jobs.

But concerns have been raised about the number of planned schemes, with Ness District Salmon Fishery Board worried about the effect on wild fish.

The project has a web site, which has a section entitled About The Project, where this is said.

Glen Earrach Energy, which means “Valley of Spring” in Gaelic, stands at the forefront of energy innovation. The Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project, located at Balmacaan Estate, Scotland, is a critical component for achieving a net-zero grid by 2030.

The project prioritises environmental preservation and biodiversity enhancement while achieving outstanding efficiency in energy storage and generation.

This ensures a healthier and more sustainable balance between harnessing natural energy resources and the maintenance and reinforcement of the surrounding ecosystem.

Note.

1. It doesn’t say, but it looks like Glen Earrach Energy aim to complete the project by 2030.
2. Glen Earrach Energy also seem to be playing a strong environmental card.

But nothing is said about the size of the project.

This article on Business Insider, which is entitled £3 billion Loch Ness Hydro Project Plans Unveiled, does give some details.

• Potential Investment – More than £2 billion
• Output – 2 GW
• Storage Capacity – 30 GWh
• The project could create at least 600 on-site construction jobs in Scotland over a six-year period, plus many thousands more locally in the supply chain.

It is larger, than SSE’s flagship Coire Glas pumped storage hydroelectric power station, which is planned to be a 1.5 GW/30 GWh station, at the other end of the Great Glen.

I have some thoughts.

The Existing Hydro Schemes On Loch Ness

According to the BBC article, there are two existing hydro schemes on Loch Ness.

• Foyers is described on this web site and is a reasonably modern 305 MW/6.3 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that was built by SSE Renewables in the last fifty years.
• Glendoe is described on this web site and is a modern 106.5 MW conventional hydroelectric power station, that was built by SSE Renewables in the last twenty years.

Foyers and Glendoe may not be the biggest hydroelectric power stations, but they’re up there in size with most solar and onshore wind farms. Perhaps we should look for sites to develop 100 MW hydroelectric power stations?

The Proposed Hydro Schemes On Loch Ness

According to the BBC article, there are four proposed hydro schemes on Loch Ness.

• Coire Glas is described on this web site and will be a 1.5GW/30 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that is being developed by SSE Renewables.
• Fearna is described on this web site and will be a 1.8GW/37 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that is being developed by Gilkes Energy.
• Loch Kemp is described on this web site and will be a 600MW/9 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that is being developed by Statera.
• Loch Na Cathrach is described on this web site and will be a 450MW/2.8 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that is being developed by Statktaft.

In addition there is, there is the recently announced Glen Earrach.

• Glen Earrach is described on this web site and will be a 2GW/30 GWh pumped storage hydroelectric power station, that is being developed by Glen Earrach Energy.

Note.

1. The total power of the seven pumped storage hydroelectric power stations is 4.76 GW.
2. The total storage capacity is 85.1 GWh.

The storage capacity is enough to run all turbines flat out for nearly five hours.

Could Glendoe Be Updated To Pumped Storage?

The Wikipedia entry for the Glendoe Hydro Scheme mentions pumped storage several times.

In Glendoe Hydro Power Station, I estimate that a Glendoe pumped storage scheme could be perhaps 50 % bigger than the system at Foyers.

I feel that if more storage capacity is needed in the Highlands, then Glendoe could be converted to pumped storage.

May 19, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Energy, Energy Storage | Balmacaan Estate, Coire Glas Pumped Hydro, Fearna Pumped Hydro, Fish, Foyers Pumped Hydro, Gilkes Energy, Glen Earrach Energy, Glendoe Hydro Power Station, Loch Kemp Pumped Hydro, Loch Na Cathrach/Red John Pumped Hydro, Loch Ness, Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity, SSE, SSE Renewables, Statera, Statkraft