New UK Dams: Project Updates from Portsmouth Water, Anglian Water, Thames Water, SSE and Agilia

Overview

Learn about the future of UK water and energy infrastructure through updates on some of the nation’s most significant reservoir and pumped storage projects.

From England’s first major new reservoir in over 30 years to the UK's largest proposed pumped storage scheme, discover how these landmark developments are helping to secure water supplies, strengthen climate resilience and support the transition to net zero.

Havant Thicket Reservoir – Portsmouth Water
England’s first major new reservoir in over 30 years, Havant Thicket Reservoir will store 8.7 million m³ of water. The project has been enhanced to increase future supply capacity from 21 million litres per day to up to 111 million litres per day during droughts or emergencies, with strong collaboration enabling construction to continue alongside these changes.

Fens Reservoir and Lincolnshire Reservoir – Anglian Water
Anglian Water is developing two major reservoirs in the East of England, each capable of storing 55 million m³ of water. The schemes are progressing through planning and site investigations and are expected to support water security, environmental restoration and population growth from the late 2030s.

White Horse Reservoir – Thames Water
White Horse Reservoir is a proposed 150 million m³ reservoir near Abingdon that will help supply water to 15 million people across Southeast England. Currently in development, the project aims to strengthen long-term water resilience and address future climate and population pressures by 2040.

Coire Glas Pumped Storage Project – SSE Renewables
The proposed 1,500 MW Coire Glas project in the Scottish Highlands would be the UK's first large-scale pumped storage hydropower scheme since the 1980s. The project is progressing through design and procurement and will play a key role in supporting renewable energy integration and electricity decarbonisation.

Reservoir Programme
Up to ten new reservoirs are planned across England over the next 25 years, representing more than £20 billion of investment. The programme aims to address growing water demand, improve drought resilience and explore innovative funding and delivery models to support large-scale infrastructure development.