Did you know the Loch Ness holds more water than all the rivers, lakes and

A closer look at Did you know the Loch Ness holds more water than all the rivers, lakes and

What this STV News piece covers

This article reports on proposals to use Loch Ness as part of pumped hydro storage, moving water between the loch and higher reservoirs so that energy from wind, solar and hydro can be stored and released when needed.

It describes a visit to Nant de Drance in the Swiss Alps to show how a large-scale pumped hydro system works, with two reservoirs at very different heights connected through tunnels and a mountain chamber housing turbines.

How the pumped hydro idea would work at Loch Ness

When there is excess electricity the system would pump water from the lower body (Loch Ness) to reservoirs higher up; when the grid needs power the water would be released downhill to turn turbines and generate electricity.

The article quotes a project director saying Loch Ness’s topology is suitable because of higher and lower lochs and its position relative to wind generation; engineers on one proposal say water levels would not move more than about a foot.

Practical and political points the story raises

The piece notes the large scale and cost of such projects, citing a figure given for one proposed scheme and an eight-year build estimate, and says private firms are leading proposals while awaiting government details on financial support.

It also highlights environmental and visual concerns: proponents say dams would be disguised by grass and heather, while critics worry about impacts on fish and on the famous landscape of Loch Ness.

Questions people ask about Did you know the Loch Ness holds more water than all the rivers, lakes and

Does the article say Loch Ness could store energy?

Yes - it reports that at least three private firms plan to move water between Loch Ness and higher reservoirs so stored water can generate electricity when needed.

Will the scheme change Loch Ness’s appearance?

The article quotes a project director saying the dam would be covered with grass and heather and should not look different from certain angles, but it also notes critics’ concerns about the landscape.

Are environmental impacts addressed?

The article mentions worries about fluctuating water levels affecting fish stocks and states engineers say levels would not move by more than about a foot in one proposal.

Did you know the Loch Ness holds more water than all the rivers, lakes and was shared on NexURLs by Nexis on November 4, 2026, in News.