Scottish ministers gave approval for the construction and operation of a 400 megawatt pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in Dumfries and Galloway, the government announced last week.
The Glenmuckloch pumped storage hydro electricity generation station will be the first new such facility to be built in more than three decades, according to project partner, 2020 Renewables.
Two companies, Buccleuch Estates and 2020 Renewables through a joint venture will develop the facility which is set to cost £150 million ($191.5 million), according to Buccleuch.
The power station will employ around 327 workers in its construction phase and create up to 15 permanent jobs once completed.
Renewable energy sources generated more than 56 percent of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015.
'This tried and tested technology can support peak demand and effectively store greater levels of electricity at times when renewable energy output is high but demand is low,” argued Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown.
Scotland already has the 440 megawatt Cruachan plant and the 300 megawatt Foyers pumped hydro project, commissioned in 1965 and 1974 respectively.
The country's potential for pumped hydro lies at around 500 gigawatt-hours.
By Zeynep Beyza Kilic
Anadolu Agency
zeynep.karabay@aa.com.tr