Drax has partnered with Cowi and Pini to initiate the UK’s first pumped storage hydro plant in nearly forty years.
- This project involves expanding the existing Cruachan facility in Scotland, adding a 600MW power station.
- The collaboration is expected to create 1,100 jobs and add £470M to the UK economy.
- Cowi and Pini will provide expertise during the engineering and design phases.
- The venture aligns with the UK’s strategy to enhance long-duration electricity storage.
Drax has launched a significant collaboration with Cowi and Pini to build the UK’s first new pumped storage hydro plant in almost four decades, known as Cruachan 2. This initiative expands the current Cruachan facility in Scotland by integrating a new 600MW power station next to the existing site. The aim is to double the generation capacity to over 1GW.
This summer marked the start of seismic surveys that will guide the development plans for Cruachan 2. The Scottish government had previously given planning consent, and Cowi was brought on board last year to provide their consultancy services. In their expanded role, Cowi, along with Pini, will deliver specialised support throughout the front-end engineering and design phase, capitalising on their extensive global experience in hydroelectric projects.
The construction phase of the Cruachan expansion is anticipated to support approximately 1,100 jobs across the UK, while injecting around £470M into the national economy. Drax has emphasised the project’s significance as one of Scotland’s most essential infrastructure undertakings in recent times, especially following the UK government’s push for a new investment framework aimed at enhancing long-duration electricity storage technologies.
In tandem with the new plant, Drax is embarking on an £80M renovation of its current Cruachan site. This refurbishment includes replacing original components and boosting the generating capacity from 440MW to 480MW, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the grid with domestically produced renewable energy.
Steve Marshall, Drax’s development manager for the project, welcomed Cowi and Pini to the venture, citing the promise of increased energy security and local economic benefits. These projects are not only envisioned to fortify the grid but also to provide substantial advantages to regional communities and businesses.
Cowi’s UK managing director, Andy Sloan, expressed enthusiasm for supporting Drax, highlighting the project’s role in rejuvenating Scotland’s pumped storage capabilities. This venture is seen as a pathway towards a more sustainable future, leveraging their expertise in rock mechanics and tunnel engineering. Pini Group’s head of business line hydropower, Pierluigi Nionelli, also noted the project’s critical role in Scotland’s energy transition journey and the opportunity to apply their international experience to Cruachan.
The operation of pumped storage plants is akin to enormous water batteries, utilising reversible turbines to transfer water and store energy. They harness surplus energy from renewable sources, such as wind farms, when supply exceeds demand. This stored energy can then be utilised to generate electricity, promoting both energy security and decarbonisation of the grid.
The partnership between Drax, Cowi, and Pini marks a pivotal advancement in the UK’s energy infrastructure and renewable initiatives.
