The Spanish-owned energy company has launched a feasibility study for an expansion of the Cruachan pumped storage facility in the Highlands, which could more than double its capacity.
Ignacio Galán, chairman and chief executive of Scottish Power, the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had asked him to consider the 600 MW expansion to the 440MW facility.
Galán said: “We see a new generation of pump storage hydro as being a major asset for electricity systems worldwide as more renewable electricity continues to come on stream.”
The First Minister welcomed the announcement while on a site visit to Iberdrola’s Cortes La Muela scheme, Europe’s largest pump storage facility.
Salmond said: “Increasing pump storage capacity will strengthen Scotland’s balanced energy mix and in doing so it can also enhance security of supply right across GB.
“With electricity regulator Ofgem forecasting a narrowing gap between English electricity generation capacity and peak demand, Scotland’s position as a net exporter to the rest of the UK is increasingly important to ensure security of supply across the network.
“It is clean, green, renewable Scottish electricity that will keep the lights on.”