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ARGLL, SCOTLAND —
BALLIEMEANOCH PUMPED
STORAGE HYDRO
THE PROPOSED Balliemeanoch Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project in
Argyll is designed to support Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon energy
system by providing large-scale, long-duration energy storage. As renewable energy generation from wind and solar continues to grow, balancing
electricity supply and demand becomes increasingly important. Pumped
storage hydro helps address this challenge by storing surplus renewable
energy when generation is high and releasing it when demand rises,
improving grid resilience and supporting decarbonization.
Balliemeanoch is part of a new generation of pumped storage projects
being developed across the UK to strengthen energy security and support
net-zero objectives. The proposed project would have a generation capacity
of up to 900 MW and an energy storage capacity of approximately 13,500
MWh. It would operate using an upper reservoir near Lochan Airigh and a
lower reservoir at Loch Awe, with water pumped uphill during periods of
excess electricity and released through underground turbines to generate
power when needed. Much of the infrastructure, including tunnels and the
power cavern, would be constructed underground to reduce environmental
and visual impacts.
AECOM has played a key role in advancing the project through its early
development stages. The company has provided integrated engineering
design, environmental assessment, planning support, construction engineering expertise and program management. By bringing together technical, environmental and planning specialists, AECOM has helped inform
critical design decisions, manage project risks and support the delivery of a
nationally significant energy infrastructure project.
Environmental and community considerations have been central to the
project’s development. AECOM supported site selection, baseline environmental surveys, stakeholder engagement and public consultation activities.
Through an iterative design process, the team helped refine the project
design to reduce landscape and visual impacts, avoid sensitive peatland
where possible, and incorporate measures to protect ecological, water and
cultural heritage resources.
AECOM has also embedded digital engineering and coordinated
information management throughout the planning process, providing a
strong evidence base for consent applications. Submitted in July 2024,
the applications support a target grid connection date of 2032, subject to
approvals. If delivered, Balliemeanoch could support up to 1,000 construction jobs while reducing renewable energy curtailment, strengthening grid
resilience and reinforcing Scotland’s leadership in low-carbon energy.
The project also reflects AECOM’’ broader hydroelectric experience,
including extensive work in Canada supporting waterpower and dam
projects through planning, environmental assessment, engineering design,
rehabilitation and asset management services.
AECOM
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 – RENEW CANADA 13
