Major projects include Coire Glas and Fearna in Invergarry, Glen Earrach in Invermoriston, Earba in Laggan, and Bailliemeanoch near Dalmally, alongside an expansion of the existing Cruachan Power Station in Dalmally, adding 600 MW to its capacity. A 2023 Biggar Economics report highlights a potential 6 GW of generating capacity from these schemes. The ESO Futures Scenarios 2023 report projects a need for 15 GW of energy storage by 2035, with pumped storage hydro as a key technology, potentially reaching 20 GW by 2050.
Angus MacGregor, a Registered Ground Engineering Professional at BAM Ground Engineering, emphasized the importance of learning from past projects: “We need to look at these records through a corrective lens and imagine what could additionally be true or instructive – for instance plaques and group photos to tunnel driving records achieved don’t tell the tale of hand-arm-vibration syndrome which plagued many featured in those photographs during the years that followed.” Historical records, including Emma Wood’s “The Hydro Boys” and Patrick Campbell’s “Tunnel Tigers,” provide insights into past hydro construction and its socio-economic impacts.
The last major pumped storage project, Foyers Power Station in Inverness, completed in 1976, converted a 1876 hydro scheme for aluminum smelting. Current projects face challenges such as ensuring safe access for maintenance, with many older tunnels lacking adequate provisions. MacGregor noted that unlined or partially lined tunnels require careful dewatering to avoid structural damage, and modern equipment often struggles to fit in spaces designed for smaller vehicles like the Series 1 Landrover.
These developments will transform local communities, with up to 3,000 workers potentially involved during construction. Infrastructure like the Caledonian Canal and railway stations at Tulloch, Roy Bridge, and Spean Bridge could support logistics, though upgrades are needed. The projects aim to create a lasting legacy, balancing engineering excellence with social considerations, such as housing and community support, while advancing the UK’s sustainable energy goals.
