EARBA PSH SECURES PLACE IN Ofgem’s ‘SUPER BATTERY’ CAP & FLOOR SUPPORT SCHEME
The Earba Storage Project is a proposed pumped storage hydro (PSH) scheme with an installed capacity of 1,800 MW and a storage capacity of 40,000 MWh, making it the largest project of its kind in the UK. Published today, Ofgem has announced a short-list of projects which are eligible to progress to the next stage of the process.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Carl Crompton, Managing Director of Gilkes Energy said:
“We are thrilled to share that our flagship pumped storage hydro project, Earba, has secured a place in Ofgem’s ‘Super Battery’ Cap & Floor support scheme.
The Earba PSH project is the largest pumped storage hydro project ever to be granted planning consent in the UK. With an installed capacity of 1.8 GW and 40 GWh of stored energy, it provides 22 hours of storage at full power.
As the UK energy system shifts from being dominated by fossil fuels to one driven by intermittent solar and wind power, the need for energy storage is increasing significantly. Energy storage therefore plays a key role in enabling the integration of more renewables into the UK energy system, and accelerating progress toward Net Zero while enhancing energy security. In particular, Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) offers significant system and consumer benefits by minimizing wind curtailment costs, which are largely passed on to consumers, and reducing reliance on expensive gas generation.
Supporting a government growth pledge to build major new LDES projects for the first time in 40 years, Ofgem launched a new cap and floor support scheme in April to unlock billions in investment. More information on the Cap & Floor scheme can be found here:
The next stage of the process is a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) where Ofgem, working alongside the National Energy System Operator (NESO), will select a small number of Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) projects to be awarded a cap and floor contract in mid-2026. The MCA process scores projects across multiple criteria including deliverability, value for money and contribution to wider societal benefits such as reductions in consumer and system balancing costs. Earba is expected to score well in this process thanks to its scale, its long storage duration (22hrs) and its location and local topography which means it can be delivered at a very competitive capital cost.
We look forward to working with Ofgem, NESO, the PSH supply chain and our investors to bring this exciting project to fruition.”
David Tomb, Project Director of the Earba PSH project had this to say on Ofgem's announcement:
“Today’s confirmation that the Earba Pumped Storage Hydro project has secured a place in Ofgem’s ground-breaking ‘Super Battery’ Cap & Floor scheme marks a major milestone, not just for the project, but for the entire PSH supply chain.
With procurement now underway for key packages, including Site Investigation works, Electrical and Mechanical Equipment, and the Main Civil Works, this announcement sends a clear and confident signal to the market: Earba PSH is advancing at pace, backed by the regulatory support that will secure delivery.
For suppliers and delivery partners, now is the time to engage. Earba offers long-term opportunity, commercial certainty, and the chance to contribute to one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, playing a pivotal role in the transition to net zero.”
