Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Hydro

Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Hydro (GPSH) will be located near Kirkconnel in South-West Scotland on the site of the former open cast coal site (OCCS). A separate wind farm comprising eight turbines is also proposed for the site, and these will sit alongside the existing two 100kW community owned wind turbines, helping to realise the energy park vision of the developers.

Consenting and Licences for the project were progressed in 2015 / 2016 with a CAR Licence granted by SEPA in September 2016, a Generation License issued in November 2016 and Section 36 (Planning) granted by Scottish Government also in Nov 2016. A range of reservoir size and plant configurations were considered before the current design was selected with a grid connection agreement of 210MW and active storage of ~ 3.3 million m³, which yields ~ 1,600MWh. Two fixed-speed reversible Francis pump-turbines are proposed, each rated at 105MW output.

New PSH projects have not been built in the UK for several decades (none since privatisation). Although a number of Developers have worked on similar schemes, or intimated a desire to do so, these have not as yet proceeded into construction. Why do we see the Glenmuckloch project as offering a more robust opportunity of succeeding?

Firstly, a low capital cost per MW can be achieved, in part due to utilising parts of the disused OCCCS to form the lower reservoir. Secondly, as well as fast response times when turbining, a grid system benefit is provided by the large demand for power that can alleviate over-capacity from the numerous wind farms connected to the local grid network. Importantly this can also provide a revenue line for the project, for what would otherwise be paid to wind farms to limit or stop generation. Alleviating constraints will then unlock other renewable generation projects. Thirdly, the project will bring a significant level of employment to the area for several years, and will meet landowner (Buccleuch) aspirations for a sustainable long-term asset that brings local and regional economic benefit.

GPSH can deliver multiple benefits to the local and regional economy; it can contribute to energy security and government renewable energy targets; it can help transition to a lower carbon future. Despite these benefits of GPSH specifically – and PSH more generally – it is challenging to build a business case due to uncertainty during this time of radical change in the energy market.

PSH is a well-proven long-life (~100 years) exceptionally reliable technology with a proud history in the UK that needs the true societal value it can, and does, add to be recognised and fully monetised by the market. If this happens, it can help to build a brighter, cleaner and more secure energy system.