The Scottish Government has announced plans for a major pumped hydroelectric storage project at Cruachan Argyll, describing it as a nationally important hydroelectricity facility, one of 14 infrastructure developments across Scotland in a new national plan.
The Scottish Government yesterday published two key land use planning documents – National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), accompanied by an SPP Position Statement which outlines Ministers’ position as of January 2014 on 10 key issues relevant to the review of the SPP. The Government has also published a Draft Action Programme for the proposed Framework.
Planning Minister Derek Mackay said the new national plan was proposing 14 infrastructure developments across Scotland to deliver economic growth.
The pumped storage scheme is one of two new national developments announced yesterday – the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership is among the other projects.
NPF3 will now be considered for 60 days by the Scottish Parliament - when finalised, NPF3 will provide the context for development plans throughout the country
Mr Mackay said:
“Scotland’s planning system has an important and positive role to play in supporting sustainable economic growth.”
“The proposed framework will benefit every part of Scotland and sets out our vision for where sustainable economic growth should take place over the next 20 to 30 years.”
The Scottish Government expects to adopt the finalised NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy in June 2014.
Scotland has relied on hydropower for a source of clean energy for decades - it is estimated that untapped potential could sustain the electricity needs of around a quarter of the country’s homes. With 25% of Europe’s tidal resource and 10% of its wave potential, marine and tidal power now look set to play an increasingly key role in Scotland’s economy. The country is pioneering marine renewable energy technologies – there are more marine energy devices commissioned, partly commissioned, under construction or permitted in Scotland than in any other country in the world.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.