Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme
Environmental Impact Assessment for major pumped storage hydro project.
ASH led the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and drove the delivery of the Environmental Statement for the Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme – one of the UK’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.
Energy Storage
EIA
LVIA
Challenge
The design and development of a major infrastructure project within a sensitive environment, requiring detailed environmental assessment and design advice and close liaison with technical and environmental teams.
Strategy
Early and continued engagement between all specialist teams was essential to the successful delivery of this project. ASH co-ordinated all environmental inputs and presented strategies to mitigate potential effects to the client, lead designers and key stakeholders.
Results
The design and mitigation measures integral to the scheme were presented within the EIA Report, prepared by ASH, which helped secure planning consent in 2013. ASH provided continued support on the project leading to the successful approval of an upgraded 1500 MW scheme in 2020.
Project Context
SSE Renewables proposed to develop a pumped storage scheme at Coire Glas as energy storage projects such as this is essential to help balance the grid given the UK’s increasing reliance on renewable energy generation. The Coire Glas scheme would enable water to be pumped from a lower reservoir to a new upper reservoir and released to generate electricity when demand peaks, offering large-scale, flexible energy storage.
Our Brief
ASH was commissioned to lead the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and produce the Environmental Statement (ES) for the project. We also provided specialist inputs in landscape and visual assessment, recreation and land use, and coordinated inputs from multiple technical disciplines.
Our Approach
We led the EIA process from early design to consent, managing technical inputs, engaging stakeholders, and shaping a visually and environmentally sensitive design.
Key actions included:
Planning & coordination
Led EIA coordination and production of the Environmental Statement
Worked closely with SSE and MWH engineers throughout design development
Managed inputs from architects, road engineers, ecologists, archaeologists, and noise consultants
Conducted benchmarking site visits to other UK pumped storage schemes (Foyers, Cruachan, Dinorwig).
Landscape & visual assessment
Delivered a detailed Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)
Advised on design and finishes for visible scheme components
Designed mitigation strategies that responded to the site’s sensitive Highland landscape.
Stakeholder & public engagement
Supported stakeholder consultation and public engagement throughout the planning process
Used insights from site visits to inform discussions with consultees and the local community.
Planning consent for the original 600 MW scheme was granted by Scottish Ministers in December 2013, with ASH continuing to support ongoing development. In 2020, the upgraded 1500 MW scheme received full consent following a unanimous vote by Highland Council and support from Ministers. This positions Coire Glas as potentially the first UK pumped storage scheme to be built since 1984.
