The nature conservation charity, which supports renewables in the right locations, has shared significant concerns about the impact on crucially important peatland habitat.

NatureScot, the national nature agency in Scotland, has also objected.  

The Balliemeanoch Pumped Storage Hydro proposal would see the construction and operation of a large hydro scheme in Argyll and Bute, to be located on the hillside to the east of Loch Awe. It involves the excavation of a huge amount of peat habitat as part of the proposal. 

Peatlands are one of the most effective natural solutions in the fight against climate change, storing more than twice as much carbon as the world’s forests combined. Healthy peatlands also provide valuable habitats for wildlife.

If consented, the proposed scheme would excavate the equivalent of around 674 Olympic-sized swimming pools of carbon-storing blanket bog and result in the loss of around 164 hectares of habitats for species like the Curlew, a bird which is considered to be ‘UK Red Listed’ and therefore of the highest conservation concern. 

Aedán Smith, head of policy and advocacy, RSPB Scotland, said: “People across Scotland are increasingly concerned about the impacts of climate change and the decline in our incredible wildlife. We support renewable energy and storage, and new infrastructure will be needed to tackle the climate crisis, but this must not be at the cost of important places for nature which can also play a crucial role in addressing climate change.  

“It’s disappointing to see a National Development proposal which has failed to properly consider impacts on nature. To protect our landscapes and species for generations to come, we must make careful decisions. Excavating 1.6 million cubic metres of peat would not only release damaging carbon dioxide emissions but would lead to the loss of vital habitats for bird species that are in decline across Scotland. As such, we have objected to this damaging proposal.”