Notice is hereby given that Earba Limited, company registration number 14386618, with its registered office at Canal Head North, Kendal, United Kingdom, LA9 7BZ, has applied to the Scottish Ministers for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a pumped storage hydroelectric scheme at Ardverikie Estate (Central Grid Reference 247887 782371) known as the Earba Pumped Storage Hydro scheme. The installed capacity of the proposed generating station would be up to 1,800 MW. The proposed development is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been produced.

Earba Limited has also requested a direction under section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission for the development is deemed to be granted.

A copy of the application, with a plan showing the land to which it relates, together with a copy of the EIA report discussing the Company’s proposals in more detail and presenting an analysis of the environmental implications, are available for public inspection in person, free of charge at:

The EIA report can also be viewed on the application website at https://earbastorage.co.uk or at https://www.energyconsents.scot under application reference ECU00005062.

Copies of the EIA report may be obtained from Earba Limited (phone: 01539 790003, email info@gilkesenergy.com) at a charge of £600 per hard copy and £30 on a USB drive. Copies of a short non-technical summary are available free of charge.

Any representations to the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at https://www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx, by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot, or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Please note that there may be a delay in the Energy Consents Unit receiving representations by post.

Written or emailed representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals), and postal address of those making representations. Emailed representations should also include the full return email address of those making representations. Only representations sent by email to representations@gov.scot will receive acknowledgement.

All representations should be received not later than 23 April 2024 although Ministers may consider representations received after this date.

Any subsequent additional information which is submitted by the developer will be subject to further public notice in this manner, and representations to such information will be accepted as per this notice.

As a result of a statutory objection from the relevant planning authority, or where Scottish Ministers decide to exercise their discretion to do so, Scottish Ministers can also cause a Public Inquiry to be held.

Following examination of the environmental information, Scottish Ministers will determine the application for consent in one of two ways:

· Consent the proposal, with or without conditions attached; or

· Reject the proposal

General Data Protection Regulations

The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit processes representations under the Electricity Act 1989. To support transparency in decision making, the Scottish Government publishes online at https://www.energyconsents.scot. A privacy notice is published on the help page at https://www.energyconsents.scot. This explains how the Scottish Government processes your personal information. If you have any concerns about the processing of your personal information by the Scottish Government, please email EconsentsAdmin@gov.scot or write to Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU.