Loch na Cathrach Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme

Statkraft acquired the consented Loch na Cathrach (formerly known as Red John) Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme from Intelligent Land Investments Group (ILI) in December 2023.

The acquisition demonstrates Statkraft’s latest commitment to helping Scotland meet its renewable energy targets and strengthening the UK's energy security. 

This website will provide updates on our work towards bringing the project into construction.

About the project

Loch na Cathrach Pumped Storage is a 450MW+ hydro scheme, first conceived in 2015 and granted consent by Scottish Government ministers in June 2021 (REF: ECU00000728).

Located on a site around 14km south-west of Inverness, this development will harness the waters of Loch Ness, helping the deployment of more renewable power and reducing our carbon emissions. It will capture excess energy, and store it until needed, helping provide security of supply as Great Britain’s electricity network shifts away from fossil fuels.

This significant UK renewable energy infrastructure project will support hundreds of jobs during construction and provide locally-based permanent jobs once operational.

What the project will look like and how it operates

What is happening?

Project updates

Get the latest updates and developments for this project, and feel free to contact us using the contact form.

Go to the project updates

What is pumped storage?

What is pumped storage? Pumped storage is a way of storing energy by turning electrical energy into stored (or potential) energy and back again to electrical energy. The system uses electricity to...

Local Suppliers

Our aim is to have the least impact and provide the most benefit to the communities in which we operate. The construction phase is one way we can create economic benefits through inward investment, a...

Pre-construction (2 years)

Includes site surveys and testing, completing all conditions associated with the consent and preparing the tender documents.

Establish a Community Liaison Group to maintain regular line of communication.
Construction (4 years)

Construction is estimated to take four years, and planning conditions are used to manage elements of construction such as hours of construction, delivery times and construction traffic routes.
Operation

The infrastructure is managed from an on-site maintenance team, and operations are controlled by detailed planning conditions.

A community fund is active throughout, for worthwhile community initiatives.

The project team

Scott Gilbert

Scott is based in the Highlands and is the Project Director for Loch na Cathrach. Scott is responsible for all aspects of this project.

Iain Robertson

Iain heads our Scottish activities, as well as Statkraft's Development Services team.

Alison Hood

Alison will drive our community engagement and help maximise benefits to the community and region.

Scott Vallance

Scott is an experienced planner and will focus on the extensive planning conditions on this project.

Seumas Skinner

Seumas has recently returned to the Highlands and will work with our local partners to facilitate our community engagement.

Statkraft to acquire major Loch Ness pumped storage hydro project from Intelligent Land Investments Group

The acquisition demonstrates Statkraft’s latest commitment to helping Scotland meet its renewable energy targets and strengthening UK energy security

Mountains and fjord. (Photo: Lars Petter Pettersen)

Hydropower

At Statkraft, we have 125 years of experience in hydropower and are the largest producer of electricity from hydropower in Europe. The majority of our power production is hydropower.

What is pumped storage?

What is pumped storage? Pumped storage is a way of storing energy by turning electrical energy into stored (or potential) energy and back again to electrical energy. The system uses electricity to...

The history of Statkraft

A short animated video of the History of Statkraft

Statkraft's history

A deep dive into over 125-years of history, as Europe's largest renewable energy producer.

Hydro power - how does it work?

Learn how hydro power is generating power.

Decide your future

What kind of world would you choose?

Loch na Cathrach Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme

About the project