UK Jobs: Coire Glas Hydro Could Support 2,880 Building Jobs
UK jobs for foreigners and locals: SSE's Coire Glas pumped storage hydro project in Scotland could support 2,880 construction jobs, a new study says.
UKIn brief
- SSE's proposed Coire Glas pumped storage hydro scheme could support 2,880 construction jobs.
- A BiGGAR Economics study says it could bring £1.94 billion of spending with UK businesses and £1.5 billion of UK economic value.
- The 1.44GW project would need about £3 billion of private investment.
- Once running, it could support around 60 long-term jobs a year.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | SSE Renewables |
| Official source | Energy Live News – Coire Glas could support almost 3,000 jobs ✓ energylivenews.com |
Big infrastructure could mean big UK jobs opportunities in Scotland. A new study says SSE Renewables' proposed Coire Glas pumped storage hydro scheme in the Highlands of Scotland would back an estimated 2,880 construction jobs and add billions to the UK economy. The findings were reported on 2 November 2026.
What is Coire Glas?
Coire Glas is a planned 1.44GW pumped storage hydroelectric scheme. Pumped storage works like a giant battery: water is pumped uphill when power is cheap and released through turbines when demand is high.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | SSE Renewables |
| Location | Scottish Highlands |
| Capacity | 1.44GW |
| Construction jobs supported | 2,880 (study estimate) |
| Long-term jobs | Around 60 a year once operating |
| Spending with UK businesses | £1.94 billion |
| UK economic value | £1.5 billion |
| Investment needed | About £3 billion of private capital |
The figures come from an economic study by BiGGAR Economics.
Has the project been approved?
Not yet in full. SSE has already invested more than £100 million in development work, including site investigations and a 1.2km exploratory tunnel. In June 2026, energy regulator Ofgem put Coire Glas among 16 long-duration electricity storage projects on its "Minded-to-Decision" list for cap and floor support. SSE says it is still working through many points of detail with Ofgem before the project can go ahead.
SSE Renewables Managing Director Stephen Wheeler called it potentially one of the most important UK infrastructure projects in a generation.
What jobs could it create?
Large hydro and tunnelling projects typically need:
- Tunnellers, miners and drill-and-blast crews
- Civil engineers, geotechnical engineers and site managers
- Plant operators, electricians and mechanical fitters
- Health and safety, logistics and site support staff
These are typical roles for this kind of project, not confirmed vacancies. Jobs would mainly be advertised by SSE and its main construction contractors once work starts.
How do I apply?
There are no Coire Glas vacancies yet. Watch SSE's official careers website and those of its major contractors for roles in the Highlands.
What it means for job seekers
- Big projects take time. Hiring starts only after final approvals and contracts.
- Tunnelling and civil skills are in demand across UK energy projects.
- Overseas workers would usually need a UK work visa sponsored by the employer.
- Related: SSE's Berwick Bank offshore wind project and 400 jobs.
More openings: all UK jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs could Coire Glas create?
A BiGGAR Economics study estimates 2,880 construction jobs, plus around 60 long-term jobs a year once the plant is operating.
Where is the Coire Glas project?
In the Scottish Highlands. It is a 1.44GW pumped storage hydroelectric scheme proposed by SSE Renewables.
Has Coire Glas been approved?
Not fully. Ofgem put it on its Minded-to-Decision list for cap and floor support in June 2026, but SSE says many details still need to be resolved.
How can I find SSE jobs?
Through SSE's official careers website, which lists roles across SSE Renewables and its other businesses.
Apply only through the official source.
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