SSE Renewables’ proposed Coire Glas hydropower project has won the prestigious IHA Blue Planet Prize 2025 in the pumped storage category.
The award was presented in Paris at the International Forum on Pumped Storage, in front of global leaders from industry, government, finance and civil society.
The forum, taking place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, is hosted by the International Hydropower Association (IHA).
Located on Loch Lochy in the Scottish Highlands and developed by SSE Renewables, the proposed Coire Glas project would be the UK’s largest long-duration energy storage facility if approved for delivery, with the potential to store around 30GWh of renewable energy capacity.
SSE believes Coire Glas could be delivering flexibility to the UK’s energy system in the early 2030s, subject to the delivery of an investable government support scheme that enables a final investment decision (FID) by the company.
In August 2025, Coire Glas became the first pumped storage hydropower project in the world to achieve Gold certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
This followed a preparation stage assessment that found strong performance in labour and safety standards, governance, and stakeholder consultation.
The project was also recognised for its careful planning of environmental and cultural heritage impacts, with detailed strategies for water and sediment management, biodiversity and local community engagement.
Project director Mike Seaton said: “We’re extremely proud our Coire Glas project has been awarded the IHA Blue Planet Prize 2025 for pumped storage.
“Our entire project team and contractors have dedicated themselves to building sustainability into every stage of the planning for this world-class project, including environmental and social outcomes.
“This has resulted in Coire Glas becoming the first pumped storage hydropower project in the world to be Gold certified under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
“Although an investable policy mechanism is still needed for the project to progress to FID, Coire Glas can play a crucial role in meeting UK and Scottish net-zero targets.”
IHA chief executive Eddie Rich said: “Coire Glas shows what can be achieved when a project is planned and managed over time with a focus on doing things the right way. SSE has taken care to embed sustainability into the project from the very earliest stages, consulting thoroughly and planning for environmental and social impacts.
“This award recognises the leadership and dedication needed to deliver pumped storage responsibly and ensure it plays a fundamental role in the clean and secure energy transition.”
The IHA Blue Planet Prize is awarded to hydropower projects that demonstrate outstanding sustainability performance.
Picture: From left, IHA president Malcolm Turnbull presents the award to Coire Glas project director Mike Seaton, with former project director Sean Kelly