Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Elaine Stewart (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 September 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Renewable Energy: Scotland

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the potential for Pumped Storage Hydro in ensuring grid stability and reducing constraint payments in respect of renewable energy generated in the south and south west of Scotland.

Answer

Long duration electricity storage (LDES) allows excess renewable generation to be stored and then used at peak times, helping to maximise the use of low-cost homegrown energy and reduce reliance on expensive global gas markets. New LDES will be built for the first time in over forty years under the cap and floor policy brought in by this government.

Ofgem is the independent regulator and decision maker for the cap and floor scheme appointed by government to deliver the policy. It assessed all projects through its Multi Criteria Assessment framework, with analytical support from NESO on whole system impacts. This assessment included consideration of system balancing and constraint management costs and resulted in Ofgem’s minded to decision on projects to support through window one, which includes 3.9GW of Pumped Storage Hydro in Scotland.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
28252
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Scotland Renewable energy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk