Advancing the sustainable management of natural resources, we led the conversion of a series of disused quarries into the first pumped storage hydroelectric scheme in England and Wales, harnessing the power of low-carbon power generation to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
The abundance of Wales’ water resources combined with the reuse of its quarrying and industrial legacy assets offered the potential to create low carbon power generation and help tackle greenhouse gas emissions. This had to be carefully managed with the locations’ significant ecological, cultural and landscape value including maintaining the catchments natural flows.
We managed all ecological aspects of this proposed development, from water abstraction and discharges to water quality and protected species surveys. As part of this, we provided extensive input throughout the planning submission including public consultation and expert witness for the Development Consent Order process.
Working closely with statutory bodies, including Natural Resources Wales, our robust, holistic approach enabled us to efficiently assess all potential impacts, develop effective mitigation measures, and enhance the local environment by improving the historic impact and cultural features.
The scheme was the first of its kind to be consented under the Planning Act 2008 as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).