SSE has received Section 36 planning consent from the Scottish Government to upgrade its 152.5MW Sloy Hydro-electric Power Station at Inveruglas on the western shore of Loch Lomond.

The consent provides the option to convert the existing plant into a pumped storage hydro scheme capable of delivering up to 16GWh of long-duration electricity storage. It also keeps open the possibility of increasing Sloy's installed generation capacity to 160MW through future asset improvement works.

Commissioned in 1950, Sloy remains the UK's largest conventional hydro-electric power station. The facility plays a key role in providing system flexibility and peak-demand support for Great Britain's electricity system.

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The plant generates around 130,000MWh of renewable electricity annually, can reach full output in under five minutes and is able to run continuously for up to 100 hours.

Robert Bryce, Director of Hydro for SSE Renewables, said: "We're delighted our upgrade proposals for Sloy have received planning consent from the Scottish Government. This provides SSE with important optionality for our iconic Sloy Power Station plant, whether as a new pumped storage hydro facility or as a conventional hydro-electric plant with increased generation capacity, and will help ensure Sloy continues to play a vital role in Scotland's energy future.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank key stakeholders, local residents and community groups who have engaged with us so positively throughout the development of these proposals. We greatly value the time, feedback and insights shared during the planning process, which have helped shape our approach. Maintaining open and constructive relationships with the communities around Sloy remains extremely important to us."