26th July 2023
In May 2022 Drax submitted an application to Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, seeking permission for the construction and operation of an electricity generating station. The proposals are an expansion of the existing Cruachan Pumped Storage Hydro generation station and will be capable of operating independently. The image above shows the proposed ‘Cruachan 2’ station alongside the existing ‘Cruachan 1’ station.
On 21st July 2023 Scottish Ministers granted consent for the Cruachan Expansion Project. The decision from the Scottish Government allows Drax to progress their ground-breaking plans to build a new c.£500m underground pumped storage hydro plant.
On this page you can view the full details of the application under the following headings:
Alternatively, copies of the decision statement can be obtained on the Energy Consent website www.energyconsents.scot. Copies have also been provided to Argyll and Bute Council to be made available for public inspection on the planning register.
Watch Drax explain the principles of the project