Renewable energy company Drax has appointed international hydro engineering consultants COWI and PINI in a joint venture to support the development of the UK’s first new pumped storage hydro plant in nearly four decades. The firms will work on the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase of the project to expand Drax’s existing Cruachan facility in Scotland.
The proposed expansion involves building a new 600MW power station next to the current underground site, effectively doubling Cruachan’s total generation capacity to over 1GW. The new facility would enhance energy security and help decarbonize the grid by storing and releasing excess renewable energy.
COWI and PINI will contribute expertise in various fields, including civil engineering, geotechnics, and electrical systems. Both firms have extensive experience with hydro projects worldwide.
“We are delighted to welcome two world-leading engineering consultancies to our project, helping us move forward with the new power station’s design,” said Steve Marshall, Development Manager for the Cruachan Expansion project. “A new generation of pumped storage hydro plants will strengthen the UK’s energy security through enabling more homegrown renewable electricity to come online, cutting the need to import power or fossil fuels from abroad.”
Marshall emphasized the local impact, noting: “Projects such as Drax’s will not only be good for the grid, but it will also offer fantastic opportunities for local communities and businesses. Expanding Cruachan will be a major infrastructure project which will create jobs and provide a real boost to Scotland’s economy.”
The construction phase is expected to support around 1100 jobs in the UK and contribute up to £470 million to the economy, making it one of Scotland’s most significant infrastructure efforts in years.
Andy Sloan, Managing Director at COWI UK, said: “COWI is thrilled to support Drax on this vital project and continue to play a key role in the revival of pumped storage in Scotland. This project allows us to apply our expertise in rock mechanics and tunnel engineering to a renewable energy initiative.”
Pierluigi Nionelli, Head of Hydropower at PINI Group, added, “The expansion of Cruachan will make a crucial contribution to the energy transition process in Scotland. Our Hydropower Business Line is dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions for the sector… We are therefore truly honored to transfer our know-how and skills to a project like Cruachan.”
The announcement follows the UK Government’s recent commitment to invest in long-duration electricity storage technologies. Alongside this expansion plan, Drax is also undertaking an £80 million refurbishment of its current Cruachan facility, upgrading its capacity from 440 MW to 480 MW.
