Gilkes Energy has been awarded planning consent for its Earba Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) scheme.
The Earba PSH scheme is set to be the largest project of its kind in the UK, with an installed capacity of 1.8GW and a storage capacity of 40GWh, meaning that it can provide 22 hours of storage at full power. The planning application for the project was submitted to the Scottish government in early March 2024.
The project will be located at Loch Earba in the Scottish central Highlands. Gilkes Energy states that this location was chosen because the area has an ideal combination of geology and topography, which the firm states will make it one of the most economically viable PSH projects under development in the UK.
While a date for the commencement of construction has not yet been announced, construction is expected to take around six to seven years. During this time, around 500 jobs will be created onsite. To this, David Tomb, project director for Earba PSH, expressed his excitement for the chance to bring new opportunities to the Highland economy, adding that the project is “a milestone for the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
Carl Crompton, managing director of Gilkes Energy, celebrated the planning victory but noted the project still has a long way to go before it is fully operational. He stated: “Now the real work begins as we transform the consented project into a fully designed, tendered, and costed venture. Our next steps include securing the substantial capital needed to bring this exciting project to life and making it fully financeable.”
Gilkes Energy pushes forward with PSH
The news comes hot on the heels of another major development for Gilkes Energy’s PSH ambitions. Late last month, Gilkes Energy and SSE Renewables submitted an application for planning permission to Scottish ministers for the Fearna PSH project, a 1.8GW, 36GWh proposal located around 25km from Invergarry in the Scottish Highlands. This project is being put forward as a 50:50 joint venture project between SSE and Gilkes Energy, with Gilkes Energy leading the development under a developer services agreement with SSE Renewables.
When the Fearna project was first announced in July 2024, it was revealed that a grid connection offer totalling 1.795GW had already been secured for the proposed project. As of publication, no date for the expected planning decision on Fearna, or the potential construction start date, if approved, has been announced.
