Foresight Group has announced that Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners II SCSp (FEIP II) has made a significant investment in Gilkes Energy's Earba Pumped Storage Hydro project, one of the largest pumped storage schemes currently under development in the United Kingdom.

A flagship long-duration storage asset

Earba is a 1.8 GW / 40 GWh long-duration energy storage project located in the Scottish Highlands. With an installed capacity of 1.8 GW and energy storage capacity of 40 GWh, the project will provide the equivalent of 22 hours of full-power export. On average, the electricity it generates will be sufficient to power more than 1.4 million UK homes.

The project is designed to balance the electricity system by storing renewable power when generation exceeds demand and releasing that power back to the grid when additional electricity is required.

Supporting the next phase of development

The investment from FEIP II will provide capital and long-term support to advance the next phase of the project as it progresses towards construction and delivery. Specifically, the funding will support detailed engineering, procurement, site investigations, and preparations for construction.

The investment also strengthens Earba's position as one of the UK's leading long-duration electricity storage projects and supports the delivery of critical energy infrastructure in Scotland.

A pivotal moment for the UK's energy transition

Foresight described the investment as coming at a pivotal time for the UK's energy transition. As the electricity system incorporates increasing volumes of intermittent renewable generation, large-scale, long-duration storage will be critical to maintaining system flexibility, strengthening security of supply and reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generation.

The project is also expected to generate significant economic activity during its construction and operation, including employment opportunities and investment in the local and regional supply chain.

Regulatory milestone under the LDES scheme

Earlier this year, Earba reached a significant milestone with its inclusion in Ofgem's Minded-to Decision under the first application window of the UK Government's Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) cap and floor scheme.

Earba is the largest pumped storage hydro project included in Ofgem's Minded-to Decision in terms of both installed capacity and stored energy, underlining its strategic importance to the future UK electricity system. Ofgem is expected to publish its final decisions for the first LDES cap and floor window in autumn 2026.

Leadership commentary

Carl Crompton, Managing Director of Gilkes Energy, said the company was delighted to welcome Foresight as a strategic investor in the Earba project. He noted that Foresight's long-term approach to infrastructure investment and experience across the energy transition sector make it an excellent partner for what he described as a nationally significant project.

Crompton added that Earba is widely recognised as one of the most economically viable and deliverable LDES projects, with the potential to make a major contribution to the UK's energy security and net-zero ambitions. He said Foresight's investment provides further momentum as the project progresses towards construction, alongside its delivery partners.

Ben Field, Investment Director at Foresight, said the firm was delighted to be partnering with Gilkes Energy to advance Earba, which he described as one of the UK's most strategically important long-duration energy storage projects. As renewable generation continues to scale, he said, assets such as Earba will play a critical role in providing the flexibility, resilience, and system stability needed to support a decarbonised power system.

Field added that building on Foresight's experience of developing and managing essential infrastructure, the firm looks forward to working alongside Gilkes Energy to bring the project through development and into operation, helping to strengthen the UK's energy security and accelerate the energy transition.

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