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List of power stations in Scotland

This list of power stations in Scotland includes current and former electricity-generating power stations in Scotland, sorted by type. Scotland is a net exporter of electricity and has a generating capacity of over 10 GW. None of this is generated by conventional oil- or gas-burning power stations. Instead there is one large gas turbine power station and one large nuclear power station, as well as several hydro-electric schemes, predominantly in the Highlands, comprising over 80 generating stations with a combined capacity of 1.4 GW. Scotland also has an increasing number of wind farms, due to the large proportion of upland areas. As of July 2010, there were 100 operating wind farms in Scotland with a combined capacity of 8 GW, and a further 96 projects under construction or consented, with capacity of 2 GW.[1] A number of other power plants include experimental wave power and tidal power generators, and Steven's Croft near Lockerbie, which is the UK's largest wood-fired biomass power station.[2] Since 2016, no coal-fired power stations operate in Scotland.[3]

A pink background denotes a power station that is no longer operational.

Nuclear power stations

Coal-fired

Oil- and gas-fired

Hydro-electric

Pumped-storage hydro-electric

Hydroelectricity relies on gravity to propel water through power-generating turbines. The difference in height between the turbine and the water source is known as the "head". Scotland has two pumped-storage hydro-electric power stations, which pump water back up to a storage reservoir during periods of off-peak demand. Although claimed to be the first such station in the world when it opened in 1965 by the Visit Cruachan website, Drax Group PLC's Cruachan Power Station[15] was preceded by the Ffestiniog Power Station in North Wales, which opened in 1963,[16] and on a smaller scale by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Sron Mor power station opened in 1957, part of the Shira Hydro-Electric Scheme. Cruachan can hold 7 GWh of energy, equivalent to 22 hours of full production. 12 hours is reserved for black start.[17]

There are several proposals for new pumped storage hydro-electric schemes in Scotland, mostly in the Great Glen;

Scotland has a potential for around 500 GWh of pumped storage.[42]

  • The 600 MW Coire Glas scheme is being developed by SSE above the northwestern shores of Loch Lochy.[23][24][25][26] The scheme was given planning permission in October 2020 and exploratory geotechnical work had started by December 2022.[27]
  • The 450 MW Loch na Cathrach (formerly called Red John) Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme to the southeast of Dores.[28][29][30] It would involve a new upper reservoir constructed near Loch Duntelchaig. The scheme was developed by Intelligent Land Investments Group and acquired by Statkraft at the end of 2023.[31]
  • An up-to 600 MW Loch Kemp Storage scheme, southwest of Loch Ness near Whitebridge.[32] A planning application was submitted in November 2023. If built, the water level in Loch Kemp could fluctuate by up to 28 m. The Ness District Salmon Fisheries Board have raised concerns about the cumulative impact of these schemes on water levels in Loch Ness, and the effect this might have on Salmon.[33]
  • The 900–1800 MW Earba Storage is being developed by Gilkes Energy in the Ardverikie Estate to the southwest of Loch Laggan.[34][35] It would use Lochan na h-Earba and Loch a’ Bhealaich Leamhain as the lower and upper reservoirs, both with new dams required. An application for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act was submitted in March 2024, supported by an environmental impact assessment,[36] and received planning consent in 2025.[37]
  • A 1500 MW/45 GWh scheme is being developed in Argyll & Bute by Intelligent Land Investments Group called Balliemeanoch PSH, using Loch Awe as the lower reservoir. A planning application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act was submitted to the Scottish Government in July 2024, with the scheme aiming for completion in 2031.[30]
  • A 1800 MW/37 GWh scheme at Loch Fearna above the existing reservoir at Loch Quoich is being developed by SSE Renewables and Gilkes Energy.[38]
  • A 2 GW/34 GWh scheme is being developed by Glean Earrach Energy (GEE) on the western shore of Loch Ness. The upper reservoir would be formed at Loch nam Breac Dearga, about half way between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston, using Loch Ness as the lower reservoir.[39] A 300–600 MW scheme was previously proposed by SSE under the name Balmacaan Hydro,[40] storing up to 30 GWh. By May 2024, a consortium without SSE worked on the project.[41] The planning application was submitted in May 2025.[39]

Conventional hydro-electric

Several of Scotland's hydro-electric plants were built to power the aluminium smelting industry, but many more were built in the mid-20th century by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to supply the communities of the Highlands. These were built in several "schemes" of linked stations, each covering a catchment area, whereby the same water may generate power several times as it descends.

Wind power

Onshore

Offshore

Others

See also

Bibliography

External links

  • Includes a list of currently generating power stations in the United Kingdom

References

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