Could pumped hydro storage be Britain's biggest natural battery?

“The flagship project in the Scottish Highlands can shift the dial on pumped hydro storage – harnessing the power of wind and water to become Britain’s biggest natural battery, storing excess renewable energy at times of low demand and supporting a future clean electricity system with instant power.

How can battery storage help the UK move to zero-carbon energy?

This is where we see the need to rapidly scale up low-carbon energy storage solutions, with batteries (or BESS) being a crucial component in the UK’s future energy mix. Battery storage technology is one of the essential tools that helps keep the power on as we move towards zero-carbon electricity.

Will SSE build the UK's largest natural battery?

SSE is progressing its flagship pumped storage hydro Coire Glas project in the Scottish Highlands which could deliver up to 30GWh of storage capacity if built, doubling the total electricity storage capacity in Great Britain today. When commissioned, it would become the UK’s largest natural battery, providing vital back up for renewable power.

How big is the battery storage market in the UK?

The UK’s battery storage market is set for exponential growth in the coming years, rising from the ground up to reach 24 gigawatts (GW) capacity by the end of the decade.

What is pumped storage hydro?

As a result, pumped storage hydro is a critical enabling technology for the wider deployment of the renewable energy the UK needs. SSE Renewables is progressing a development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects in the UK.

How many energy storage projects are being built in the UK?

Last year, the company partnered with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to build around 4 GW of energy storage projects in the UK. Around 2 GW of its BESS projects are currently at the application stage, and another 1.3 GW are under the pre-application/concept stage.