The UK energy regulator Ofgem has provisionally selected 16 LDES projects in the UK under its cap and floor support scheme, including three pumped storage hydro projects in northern Scotland (Ofgem press release, 26/06/2026).
The selected projects cover four technologies: pumped-storage hydro, compressed air energy storage (CAES), lithium-ion batteries and vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB). LDES projects must be able to store and release electricity for at least eight hours, supporting system flexibility during periods of low wind or solar output.
The three pumped hydro projects are Statera Energy’s Loch Kemp project, which plans to draw water from Loch Ness, SSE’s Coire Glas project, linked to Loch Lochy, and Gilkes Energy’s Earba project, which would use Loch Leamhain and Loch Earba. They should become Great Britain’s first major new pumped hydro projects since the Dinorwig plant entered operations in 1984.
Ofgem has opened a consultation on the minded-to decisions until 7 August 2026, with final determinations expected later in 2026.
The UK currently has 2.8 GW of LDES capacity across four pumped-storage hydro facilities in Scotland and Wales.
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