List of power stations in Scotland


This list of power stations in Scotland includes current and former electricity-generating power stations in Scotland, sorted by type. Scotland is a net exporter of electricity and has a generating capacity of over 10GW. None of this is generated by conventional fossil fuel-burning power stations. But two large nuclear power stations. Several hydro-electric schemes operate in the Highlands. Scotland also has an increasing number of wind farms, due to the large proportion of upland areas. As of July 2010, there were 100 operating wind farms in Scotland with a combined capacity of 8GW; and a further 96 projects under construction or consented, with capacity of 2GW. A number of other power plants include an experimental wave power generator on Islay, and Steven's Croft near Lockerbie, the UK's largest wood-fired biomass power station. Since 2016 no coal fired power stations are operating in Scotland.

[Nuclear power stations]

NameOperatorLocation Council areaTypeCapacity CommissionedClosed
ChapelcrossUKAEA / BNFLDumfries and GallowayMagnox20019592004
Dounreay DFRUKAEAHighlandFast breeder reactor1419621977
Dounreay PFRUKAEAHighlandFast breeder reactor25019751994
Hunterston ASouth of Scotland Electricity Board / Scottish NuclearNorth AyrshireMagnox36019641990
Hunterston BSouth of Scotland Electricity Board / Scottish Nuclear / British Energy / EDF EnergyNorth AyrshireAdvanced gas-cooled reactor1,2881976-
TornessSouth of Scotland Electricity Board / Scottish Nuclear / British Energy /EDF EnergyEast LothianAdvanced gas-cooled reactor1,3641988-

[Coal]-fired

[Oil]- and [gas]-fired

Hydro-electric

Pumped-storage hydro-electric

relies on gravity to propel water through power-generating turbines. The difference in height between the turbine and the water source is known as the "head". Scotland has two pumped-storage hydro-electric power stations, which pump water back up to a storage reservoir during periods of off-peak demand. Drax Group PLC's Cruachan Power Station was the first such station in the world when it opened in 1965. It can hold of energy, equivalent to 22 hours of full production. 12 hours is reserved for black start.
NameOperatorLocation Council areaGross head Capacity EnergyCommissioned
CruachanDrax GroupArgyll and Bute3604407 GWh or 8.81965
Foyers/Loch MhòrScottish and Southern EnergyHighland1793006.3 GWh1974

SSE have proposed building two new pumped storage schemes in the Great Glen; 600 MW at Balmacaan above Loch Ness, and 600 MW at Coire Glas above Loch Lochy, at £800m. Scotland has a potential for around 500 GWh of pumped storage.

Conventional hydro-electric

Several of Scotland's hydro-electric plants were built to power the aluminium smelting industry, but many more were built in the mid-20th century by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to supply the communities of the Highlands. These were built in several "schemes" of linked stations, each covering a catchment area, whereby the same water may generate power several times as it descends.
NameOperatorSchemeLocation Council areaGross head Capacity Commissioned
AchanaltScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland2031956
AigasScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland18201962
Allt FionnOsspower/Glenfalloch Estate-Stirling18022012
Allt-na-LairigeScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute24961956
AuchtertyreInnogy-Stirling-0.72000
BlantyreInnogy-South Lanarkshire-0.5751995
BonningtonDrax GroupLanarkSouth Lanarkshire30111927
BraevallichInnogy-Argyll and Bute-2.22006
CarnochInnogy-Highland2451.352006
CarsfadDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway20121936
CashlieScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross142111959
CassleyScottish and Southern EnergyShinHighland11310?
CeannacrocScottish and Southern EnergyGreat GlenHighland90201959
ChliostairScottish and Southern Energy-Western Isles12511960
ClachanScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute29440?
ClunieScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross53611955
CuaichScottish and Southern EnergyTummelHighland272.51959
CuileigScottish and Southern Energy-Highland-3.22002
CulligranScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland60191962
DalchonzieScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross2941958
DeanieScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland113381963
Douglas WaterInnogy-Argyll and Bute17332008
DrumjohnDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway-21985
EarlstounDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway20141936
ErrochtyScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross186751955
FasnakyleScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland159691951
FinlarigScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross41516.51955
FoyersBritish Aluminium Company-Highland1792001896, reconfigured 1971
Foyers FallsScottish and Southern EnergyFoyersHighland10851974
GarrogieInnogy-Highland-2.42005
Garry GualachInnogy-Highland-0.782002
GaurScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross307.51953
GislaScottish and Southern Energy-Western Isles470.7?
Glen TarbertInnogy-Highland-0.852000
GlendoeScottish and Southern EnergyGlendoeHighland6001002009
GlenleeDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway120241935
GlenmoristonScottish and Southern EnergyGreat GlenHighland93371957
Grudie BridgeScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland16818.71950
InveraweScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute36251963
InverbainInnogy-Highland-12005
InvergarryScottish and Southern EnergyGreat GlenHighland53201956
InverlaelInnogy-Highland1202.52009
KendoonDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway46241936
Kerry FallsScottish and Southern Energy-Highland5611952
KilmelfortScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute11121956
KilmorackScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland17201962
KingairlochScottish and Southern Energy-Highland-3.52005
KinlochlevenAlcan-Highland-301909
LairgScottish and Southern EnergyShinHighland103.51959
LednockScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross9131961
LivishieScottish and Southern EnergyGreat GlenHighland259151962
Loch DubhAlcan-Highland1661.21948
Loch ErichtScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross552.21962
Loch GairScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute10961961
LochaberRio Tinto AlcanLochaberHighland-651944
LochayScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross180451958
LubreochScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross3041958
LuichartScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland56341954
LussaScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute1162.41952
Morar?-Highland511948
MossfordScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland16118.61957
MullardochScottish and Southern EnergyAffric-BeaulyHighland272.41955
NantScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute172151963
Nostie BridgeScottish and Southern Energy-Highland14911948
OrrinScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland222181959
PitlochryScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross15151950
QuoichScottish and Southern EnergyGreat GlenHighland101181955
RannochScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross156441930
River EInnogy-Highland28732007
ShinScottish and Southern EnergyShinHighland8118.61958
SloyScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute277152.51950
Sron MorScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute4651957
St FillansScottish and Southern EnergyBreadalbanePerth and Kinross25316.81957
Stanley MillsInnogy-Perth and Kinross-0.842003
StonebyresDrax GroupLanarkSouth Lanarkshire5151927
Storr LochsScottish and Southern Energy-Highland1362.41952
StrivenScottish and Southern EnergySloy-AweArgyll and Bute12381951
TonglandDrax GroupGallowayDumfries and Galloway32331935
Torr AchiltyScottish and Southern EnergyCononHighland16151954
TrinafourScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross910.51959
Tummel BridgeScottish and Southern EnergyTummelPerth and Kinross53341935

[Wind power]

Onshore

NameOperatorLocation Council areaNumber of turbinesCapacity CommissionedNotes
Burnfoot HillEDFStirling1326October 2010
Upper ArdgrainAberdeenshire32.4October 2010
Ben Aketil extensionFalck RenewablesHighland24.6October 2010
Achany EstateSSE RenewablesHighland1938October 2010
Hammars HillHammars Hill Energy LtdOrkney54.5September 2010
TulloEnecoAberdeenshire717September 2010
Methil DocksThe Hydrogen OfficeFife10.75September 2010
Crystal Rig 2Fred Olsen Renewables LtdScottish Borders51117.3September 2010
Crystal Rig 2aFred Olsen Renewables LtdScottish Borders920.7September 2010
House o'HillAberdeenshire32.4July 2010
Cairnmore FarmRWE Npower RenewablesAberdeenshire32.55July 2010
CarcantSSE RenewablesScottish Borders36June 2010
ToddleburnSSE RenewablesScottish Borders1227.6June 2010
Craigengelt HillGDF SuezStirling820March 2010
Tiree Community Wind TurbineTiree Renewable Energy LtdArgyll and Bute10.9March 2010
Fairburn EstateScottish & SouthernHighland2040February 2010
Hill of FiddesBroadview EnergyAberdeenshire36.9February 2010
Boyndie extensionFalck RenewablesHighland12.3January 2010
Pates HillYour EnergyWest Lothian714January 2010
North RhinsAES Wind GenerationDumfries and Galloway1122January 2010
EdinbaneVattenfallHighland1841.4December 2009
SkelmonaeAberdeenshire43.2December 2009
Strath of Brydock extensionA.J. DuncanAberdeenshire12.3December 2009
CowhillAberdeenshire10.8December 2009
NewsteadAberdeenshire10.8December 2009
Ednie FarmAberdeenshire10.8December 2009
Burgar Hill extensionBurgar Hill RenewablesOrkney12.3November 2009
Dun Law extensionScottishPowerScottish Borders3529.75October 2009
LongparkEDFScottish Borders1938October 2009
HolodykeDC & MC WallaceOrkney10.9October 2009
Hill of BurnsAberdeenshire10.8October 2009
Westray Community wind turbineWestray Development TrustOrkney10.9October 2009
Lochhead FarmA7 Energy LtdSouth Lanarkshire36.15July 2009
Hill of Balquhindachy extensionGreenspan EnergyAberdeenshire21.7July 2009
St John's WellsSt John's Wells Wind Farm LimitedAberdeenshire32.4July 2009
Beinn Tharsuinn extension RockBySea & Midfern RenewblesHighland24.6July 2009
Ardkinglass/Clachan FlatsIberdrolaArgyll and Bute915.03June 2009
Strath of BrydockA.J. DuncanAberdeenshire24.6June 2009
Achairn FarmJ & R InnesHighland36.15May 2009
AikengallCommunity WindpowerEast Lothian16482009
ArdrossanAirtricityNorth Ayrshire12242003
ArtfieldScottish and Southern EnergyDumfries and Galloway15222005
BalnamoonBalnamoon Renewables Ltd.Moray10.82008
Beinn an TuircScottish PowerArgyll and Bute4630.362002
Beinn GhlasNpowerArgyll and Bute148.41999
Beinn TharsuinnScottish PowerHighland17302006
Ben AketilFalck RenewablesHighland10232007
Bilbster NpowerHighland33.92008
Black HillRESScottish Borders2228.62007
Black LawScottish PowerNorth Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire West Lothian54124.22005, extended 2006
BowbeatE.ON UKScottish Borders2431.22002
BoyndieFalck RenewablesAberdeenshire7142006
Braes of DouneAirtricityStirling36722005
Bu FarmI & H BrownOrkney32.72002
BuolfruichAnthony HallHighland1512.75
Burgar HillNpowerOrkney252007
Burra DaleShetland AerogeneratorsShetland53.72000, extended 2003
Cairn Uish Fred Olsen RenewablesMoray2250.62005
CauseymireNpowerHighland24552004
CraigCraig Wind Farm Co.Dumfries and Galloway482007
Cruach MhorScottish PowerArgyll and Bute3529.752004
Crystal RigFred Olsen RenewablesScottish Borders2562.52004, extended 2007
DalswintonAirtricityDumfries and Galloway15302008
Deucheran HillE.ON UKArgyll and Bute915.752001
DrumdergScottish and Southern EnergyPerth and Kinross16322008
DummuieEco2Aberdeenshire710.42007
Dun LawScottish PowerScottish Borders2617.62000
EarlsburnFalck RenewablesStirling1537.52007
FarrNpowerHighland40922006
Findhorn EcovillageFindhorn Wind ParkMoray40.752006
FintryFREEStirling12.52007
ForssFivestoneHighland672003
GighaGigha Renewable Energy CompanyArgyll and Bute30.6752004
Glens of FoudlandCentricaAberdeenshire20262005
GreendykesideA7 EnergyNorth Lanarkshire242007
Green KnowesScottish PowerPerth and Kinross18272008
Hadyard HillScottish and Southern EnergySouth Ayrshire521202006
Hagshaw HillScottish PowerSouth Lanarkshire46421995, extended 2008
Hare HillScottish PowerEast Ayrshire2013.22000
KilbraurFalck RenewablesWestern Isles1947.52008
LiniclateElement Wind Ltd.Western Isles10.92008
Mackie'sMackie's Ice CreamAberdeenshire32.552007
Michelin Tyre FactoryEcotricityDundee242006
Millennium Falck RenewablesHighland20502008
Minsca FarmAirtricityDumfries and Galloway1636.82008
North RedbogRedbog Renewables Ltd/EnerconAberdeenshire21.62008
Novar RWEHighland5053.81997
Paul's HillFred Olsen RenewablesMoray2455.22006
Sainsbury's, East KilbrideEcotricitySouth Lanarkshire10.62001
SigurdTriodos RenewablesOrkney11.32000
SpurnessScottish and Southern EnergyOrkney4112005
Tangy FarmScottish and Southern EnergyArgyll and Bute1512.752002
Wardlaw Community WindpowerNorth Ayrshire6182006
Wether HillScottish PowerDumfries and Galloway1418.22007
WhiteleeScottish Power RenewablesEast Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire2155392009, extended 2013
Windy StandardNpowerDumfries and Galloway3621.61996

Offshore

NameOperatorLocation Sea areaNumber of turbinesCapacity Commissioned
Beatrice Talisman Energy / Scottish and Southern EnergyMoray Firth2102007
BeatriceScottish and Southern Energy / Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners / Red Rock Power LimitedMoray Firth845882018
Robin RiggE.ON UKSolway Firth601802009
Hywind ScotlandStatoil miles from Peterhead5302017

Others

NameOperatorLocation Council areaTypeCapacity CommissionedClosed
Billia CrooEMECOrkneyWave power?2003
BraehourScottish Hydro ElectricHighlandPeat burning?19541960
BaldovieDundee Energy RecyclingDundeeEnergy from waste10.51999-
GreengairsShanks McEwanNorth LanarkshireLandfill gas3.81996-
Islay LIMPETWavegenArgyll and ButeWave power0.52000-
Steven's CroftE.ON UKDumfries and GallowayBiomass 442008-
WestfieldEnergy Power ResourcesFifeBiomass 102000-