The Earba Storage Project, a proposed pumped storage hydro (PSH) scheme with an installed capacity of 1800MW and a storage capacity of 40,000MWh, has received planning consent from the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government. This makes it the largest PSH project ever approved in the UK.
Carl Crompton, Managing Director of Gilkes Energy, confirmed the approval, stating: “We are thrilled to share that our flagship pumped storage hydro project, Earba, has received planning consent from the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government.”
The project is designed to store energy generated from renewable sources, particularly wind power, and release it when demand is high. With 22 hours of storage at full capacity, the facility aims to enhance grid stability as the UK transitions from fossil fuel-based power generation to renewable energy sources.
Planning application for the project was submitted back in March 2024. Known as a ‘Section 36’ Planning Application, it included considerable surveys, analysis, engineering design and consultation all summarized in an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
The need for large-scale energy storage has grown as the country moves toward net-zero emissions. Storage projects like Earba help integrate renewable energy into the grid by storing excess electricity and minimizing reliance on gas generation. Crompton emphasized the project’s benefits, stating that it would “support decarbonisation, strengthen energy security, and lower costs for consumers.”
Gilkes Energy is also working with the UK Government and Ofgem to implement the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) ‘Cap & Floor’ mechanism in 2025. This policy is expected to facilitate investment in PSH projects by addressing financial risks. Crompton noted that the mechanism has already attracted private investment for interconnectors and is expected to do the same for pumped storage.
With planning approval secured, Gilkes Energy will now focus on finalizing project design, securing investment, and preparing for construction. Further updates will be available on the project’s website at www.earbastorage.co.uk.
Earlier this month it was announced that a planning application for the 1.8GW Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project has been submitted to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government. The project, a joint venture between SSE Renewables and Gilkes Energy, aims to provide 36,000 MWh of energy storage. It is located at the western end of Glengarry, approximately 25 km west of Invergarry, and utilizes existing hydro infrastructure to enhance efficiency and economic viability.
