Drax’s Cruachan Power Station is located on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll and is one of just four pumped storage hydro facilities in the UK, playing a critical role in the country’s energy security.
Drax is set to invest £80 million in a significant refurbishment of its renowned 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydropower station in Scotland, and has appointed Andritz as the primary contractor for the upgrade project.
The major project will enhance the generating capacity of two of the plant's four units by a combined 40Ms, elevating the facility's total generating capacity to 480MW. Notably, these units, commissioned in 1965, contain components, including turbines, that are over 50 years old.
Situated on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll, Drax's Cruachan power station stands as one of only four pumped storage hydro facilities in the UK, playing a pivotal role in the nation's energy security.
Speaking from Ravensburg, Germany, at the contract signing with Andritz, Drax's Interim Chief Operating Officer, Penny Small, emphasized the importance of pumped storage hydro to the UK's energy security, highlighting its complementary role with renewables.
“These plants play a critical role in stabilising the electricity system, helping to balance supply and demand through storing excess power. When wind turbines are generating more power than we need, Cruachan steps in to store the renewable electricity so it doesn’t go to waste,” Small commented. “By investing in Cruachan today, Drax is ensuring the power station can play an even bigger role in the energy system of tomorrow. We look forward to working with our contracting partners to deliver this exciting project.”
Dominik Fust, Managing Director at Andritz Hydro Germany, added: “We are proud to have been entrusted with the refurbishment of the Cruachan Pump Storage Power Plant. This project aligns with our mission to contribute to the global transition toward sustainable energy generation.”
Drax's investment in this upgrade is underpinned by the award of 15-year capacity market agreement worth around £221 million.
This upgrade project stands separate from Drax's plan to construct a new 600MW pumped storage power station adjacent to the existing Cruachan facility. A study by Scottish Renewables estimates that this project could create and support up to 1100 jobs.
Left to right – Ian Kinnaird (Drax Group Scottish Assets & Generation Director), Dominik Fust (Managing Director at Andritz Hydro Germany), Penny Small (Drax Group Interim Chief Operations Officer) and Alexander Bihlmayer (VP Global Sales at Andritz) signing the contract in Germany.
