Earba pumped hydro storage scheme objection

In reaching a decision on whether to object to the Earba pumped hydro storage scheme, proposed on the Ardverikie Estate within the Rannoch-Nevis-Mamores-Alder Wild Land Area of the Scottish Highlands, the Trust met with the developer on site to discuss the plans, spoke to a representative of the estate and asked our members to share their views.

We understand that climate change is a threat to lives and livelihoods and is accelerating the loss of biodiversity worldwide. We also understand that the UK grid requires storage capacity if it is to reliably meet the UK population's future electricity demand. The proposed scheme would become the UK's largest pumped hydro scheme if it proceeds.

At the end of the day, our objection is about the protection of a specific wild place. We could not accept that this beautiful wild place, which has brought joy to many, had to be lost to the 'net zero' cause. We do believe in the net zero targets, and our work on peatland protection, restoring habitats as functioning carbon sinks and a Carbon Emissions Land Tax proposal, is all in support of reducing Scotland and the UK's carbon emissions. 

However, we also believe that the route to net zero has not been clearly set out in a national land use plan or strategy. The need for large scale renewable energy projects such as Earba is currently met by a market-led approach, that is fixated on increasing supply of energy (rather than a mix of approaches, including efficiencies, smarter energy use and reduced demand), where the landowners and developers decide which sites are best. Between them they have expertise, land and raise the capital. It then falls to the planning authority to determine if the site is the right location. This isn't, in our view, a plan-led or strategic approach to energy developments that are considered nationally important.

We hope that whether you agree or disagree with us you can see why we have reached our decision. Thank you to all our members for sharing their views, which helped to inform our position.

Our objection is available to download below.