ILI Group has lodged a Section 36 planning application with the Scottish government for its 1500MW Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro (PSH) project in Argyll & Bute, Scotland.
The scheme at Loch Awe aims to enhance the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure, potentially powering 4.5m homes and reducing the country’s carbon emissions by 200m tonnes over the scheme’s lifetime.
With a planned connection date of 2031, Balliemeanoch PSH is well positioned to play a crucial role in the UK’s long-term energy strategy, said ILI.
The site will provide 1.5GW of power for up to 30 hours, equating to 45,000MWh of energy
The five-year construction campaign will see the building of a new headpond holding 58 million cubic metres of water, with £1.5bn-£2bn in investment and up to 1000 jobs at its peak.
ILI Group has engaged infrastructure consulting firm AECOM as technical consultants for the project. AECOM’s expertise in large-scale infrastructure scheme has been instrumental in developing the detailed plans for this ambitious scheme, said the developer.
“The submission of the planning application for Balliemeanoch marks another pivotal step in our commitment to enhancing the UK’s renewable energy capabilities,” said ILI Group chief executive Mark Wilson.
“This comes on the heels of our recent sale to Statkraft for the Loch na Cathrach project (formerly known as Red John), which further validates the critical role of pumped storage hydro in our energy future. Long-duration energy storage projects like Balliemeanoch and Loch na Cathrach are essential for maintaining grid stability as we increase our reliance on renewable energy sources.
“The recent UK government’s consultation on long-duration energy storage underscores the need for a robust policy framework to support these projects.
“The proposed cap and floor investment framework will be crucial in overcoming investment barriers, ensuring that Scotland can deploy significant storage capacity to meet our net zero targets.
“This project not only addresses climate change but also promises significant economic benefits. It will increase the country’s energy security and has the potential to reduce household energy bills.”
To help stakeholders better understand the project, ILI Group has also created a 3D visualisation of the proposed Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro scheme. This allows viewers to explore the project’s layout and its integration into the local landscape.