SSE has secured planning permission to convert Sloy Power Station into a pumped storage hydro scheme.
Currently capable of providing up to 16GWh of long-duration electricity storage, the approval gives the potential to increase the station’s installed generation capacity to 160MW through future potential asset improvement works.
First commissioned in 1950 at Inveruglas on the western bank of Loch Lomond, Sloy is the UK’s largest conventional hydro-electric power station.
The existing renewable electricity plant currently plays a highly important role in providing system flexibility and peak-demand support to Britain’s electricity system. Its existing capacity is capable of generating around 130,000MWh of hydro-powered electricity each year.
Robert Bryce, director of hydro at SSE Renewables, said, “We’re delighted our upgrade proposals for Sloy have received planning consent from the Scottish Government. This provides SSE with important optionality for our iconic Sloy Power Station plant, whether as a new pumped storage hydro facility or as a conventional hydro-electric plant with increased generation capacity, and will help ensure Sloy continues to play a vital role in Scotland’s energy future.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank key stakeholders, local residents and community groups who have engaged with us so positively throughout the development of these proposals. We greatly value the time, feedback and insights shared during the planning process, which have helped shape our approach. Maintaining open and constructive relationships with the communities around Sloy remains extremely important to us.”
Any final decision to progress the upgrade would be taken in line with SSE’s continued focus on capital discipline and with strict adherence to its return thresholds, it said.
