Pumped storage hydro schemes are renewable energy projects with the potential to cut carbon emissions and hit climate change targets. It has been decades since a new scheme has been constructed in the UK. The UK has four existing pumped storage projects - Cruachan and Foyers in Scotland, and Dinorwig and Ffestiniog in Wales and none of the projects has yet progressed beyond the planning stage. Experts suggest the creation of a new market for pumped storage hydro would be the best solution to unlocking its potential.
The schemes involve two bodies of water at different heights. The water flows from one to the other through tunnels, passing through a power station inside a cavern that has been created by hollowing out part of the mountain. When there is a low demand for electricity from consumers and/or when surplus power is available from wind farms, electricity is used to pump water from the lower level to fill a reservoir further up the hill. The water can then be released from the upper reservoir, flowing down the tunnels to drive turbines that generate hydro-electricity. This happens at times of high demand, or when there is not enough wind to power wind farms.
Developers argue the current energy market does not have the mechanisms to make such major projects attractive to investors.
They are not cheap to build - costs can run to £500m and more. They also take a long time to construct - between five to eight years.
The massive green power projects stuck in limbo - BBC News
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